<h5>From which asteroid did NASA bring back samples?</h5><p>NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has brought back samples of rocks and dust collected from asteroid Bennu. &nbsp;The capsule containing the samples landed at the Utah Test and Training Range, USA. It was later flown to NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston on 25th September 2023.</p><p>The samples from the asteroid will help scientists better understand planet formation, the origin of water, and the substances that made life possible on Earth. They will also help scientists know more about asteroids that can cause harm to our planet.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/nasa-s-asteroid-sample-lands-back-on-earth%2FNASA%201.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=906f4af2-cf70-49d1-8eff-0292e9eb3ba6"><figcaption>The samples being carried for research. Photo by NASA's Johnson Space Center.</figcaption></figure><h5>What is the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft?</h5><p>The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is the first US spacecraft to collect asteroid samples. It was launched in September 2016 and arrived at Bennu in December 2018. It carefully examined the asteroid for a safe sample collection site.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/nasa-s-asteroid-sample-lands-back-on-earth%2FOSIRIS-REx_Touchdown_on_Bennu.gif?alt=media&amp;token=d7a709de-68c4-4d66-a03e-377a74c43e4d"><figcaption>OSIRIS-REx collecting samples from asteroid Bennu. Video by NASA.</figcaption></figure><p>In October 2020, OSIRIS-REx used its robotic arm and briefly touched down on Bennu to collect the samples in a move named Touch-And-Go (TAG). Later, the spacecraft started its journey back home. After the spacecraft returned to Earth, it released the capsule containing the samples. The capsule entered the Earth’s atmosphere and landed in Utah.</p><p>The spacecraft didn’t land on Earth and will move on to study Apophis, an asteroid that will pass within 32,000 kilometres of Earth in 2029. So, the new name given to the spacecraft is OSIRIS-APEX (OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer).</p><h5>Why was asteroid Bennu selected for sample collection?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/nasa-s-asteroid-sample-lands-back-on-earth%2FNASA%202.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=1e14ebdd-dbd6-42f8-887d-17da32b32f2d&quot;" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>A video about OSIRIS-REx. Video by NASA Sun &amp; Space.</figcaption> </figure></div><p>Bennu’s orbit is closer to the Earth than other asteroids that orbit the Sun. Also, small asteroids spin so fast that it becomes difficult for a spacecraft to collect samples. However, Bennu is of the right size, which makes it approachable for sample collection.</p><p>The asteroid is also really old. Many scientists think that mineral pieces within Bennu may be older than the solar system. So, it can help scientists learn more about the universe. Its samples can also help scientists understand the role of asteroids in delivering life-forming substances to Earth.</p><p>Also, asteroids like Bennu are essential for any future deep-space exploration. Rocket fuel can be produced if scientists figure out how to extract hydrogen and oxygen from the water trapped in an asteroid's minerals. So, asteroids could serve as fuel stations for future deep-space exploration.</p>

NASA's OSIRIS REx has delivered samples from an asteroid named Bennu.

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