Space rock tests aboard NASA's OSIRIS-REx arrived in September, but 2 jammed clips kept them firmly locked in place.
A researcher in a cleanroom suit connects to a device in a storage compartment on a space rock test case
NASA OSIRIS-REx Research Engineer Neftali Hernandez attaches the exceptional device to the distant two jammed latches on the Bennue space rock OSIRIS-REx office test that brings the container back.
For quite some time, chunks of space rock collected by the US test during its journey billions of miles away for researchers were locked inside a return container at NASA's office with two staples stuck to prevent entry into the rugged space treasure. This week, NASA won its battle with these clips.
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On Wednesday (Jan. 10), NASA professionals finally removed the stuck latches from an example of the return container of its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft — which completed the biggest space rock return mission in U.S. history when it arrived in Utah in September 2023. In its container were the aftershocks and debris collected from the Bennu Space Stone. First, the team at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, was able to retrieve 70.3 grams (2.48 ounces) of material -- 10 grams more than the mission's target -- from the outside perspective of the sampling head, called the Tricky Example. Supply System (TAGSAM).
However, much of the space rock test material remained trapped inside the pod when two of the 35 clips on TAGSAM could not be removed using existing equipment approved for use inside the OSIRIS-REx pod, guaranteeing that the space rock tests would not proceed. contaminated during handling. Fortunately, specialists have been able to support new instruments that would handle the difficult clasp, as NASA claims.
NASA's first space rock test is rich in carbon and water, OSIRIS-REx finds
“Our specialists and researchers worked hard in the background for a really long time to not only cycle the 70+ grams of material we had access to beforehand, but to configure, build and test the new devices that enabled us. overcome this hurdle," Eileen Stansbery, head of NASA's Astromaterials Exploration and Investigation Science (ARES) division, said in a statement. "The progress and dedication of this group has been astounding. We are undeniably eager to see the remaining fortunes that OSIRIS-REx holds."
The group produced two new multi-piece devices, including exceptionally crafted bits made using a special grade of painstaking, unattractive hardened steel, the hardest metal supported for use in hardening gloves. The devices were tested during ejection techniques in the training lab to guarantee that they would be able to achieve the required force without damaging the TAGSAM head or contaminating the examples as claimed.
An outside view of the OSIRIS-REx test collector. Test material from the Bennu space rock should be visible in the middle right. Scientists early in their investigation of this material traced evidence of both carbon and water. Most of the example is placed inside.
An outside view of the OSIRIS-REx test collector. Test material from the Bennu space rock should be visible in the middle right. When starting to examine this material, scientists tracked down evidence of both carbon and water. Most of the example is housed inside, which was done due to two difficult latches.
“Despite the plan's challenge to limit itself to chicken-supported materials to ensure the logical value of the space rock test, these new devices were also expected to operate within the tight confines of the glove box, limiting their level, weight, and potential flex development. Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx custodian at NASA, said in an explanation. "The curatorial team showed great versatility and did an unimaginable job to remove these stubborn latches from the TAGSAM head so that we could proceed with the disassembly. We are thrilled with the success."
When the party completes the disassembly, they will have the opportunity to measure the entire example and decide on the total mass collected from Bennu. Image experts will also take photos with a very high target before removing them. NASA intends to send some of the space rock tests to principal investigators for further exploration later this spring.
The Bennu space rock is believed to be a raw space rock that has been meandering through space since the beginning of our nearby planetary group. So focusing on samples collected from the outer layer of space rock could reveal new clues about our infinite region.
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