Outer space, a vast and enigmatic ocean of mysteries, has been the subject of tireless exploration by space agencies to unravel the secrets of our origin. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has played a fundamental role in this search, bringing with it answers that could illuminate the origins of the Solar System and, therefore, of life itself.
For seven years, the OSIRIS-REx probe traveled toward the asteroid Bennu, a 4.5 billion-year-old relic believed to be one of the oldest rocks in the Solar System. This carbon-rich asteroid has revealed its richness in water and carbon compounds through the sample collected by the probe. This discovery suggests the possibility that the elements necessary for life existed even before the formation of the sun, shedding light on the cosmic processes that gave rise to our planetary home.
NASA has shared this exciting achievement with the world, allowing viewers to follow live as the probe brings this precious sample back to Earth. The capsule, which is expected to land in the Utah desert in the United States, will be transported to the laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for extensive analysis.
The Bennu material, according to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, is “the largest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth” and will play a crucial role in our understanding of asteroids that could threaten our planet. Over time, it will provide us with valuable knowledge about the mysteries that lie beyond our starry sky. This achievement not only represents a scientific milestone but also a significant step toward understanding our cosmic roots and the infinite possibilities of outer space.