Renowned NASA planetary scientist, Lucas Paganinioriginally from Argentina, is already in the Utah desert, United States, waiting with bated breath for the arrival of a special capsule.
This capsule brings with it rocks and dust from the asteroid Bennu, which could reveal secrets about how our solar system originated approximately 4.5 billion years ago.
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Bennu: An asteroid full of answers
The samples obtained from the asteroid Bennu, which are estimated to weigh around 250 grams, could clarify mysteries that have fascinated humanity for generations. These questions include: Where does life come from? How did our solar system originate? What mysteries do these celestial bodies harbor?
Paganini enthusiastically shares: “Asteroids are essential to our understanding of the universe. “They act as time capsules, similar to dinosaur fossils, giving us a window into the past, allowing us to understand events that occurred billions of years ago.”
Theories about the origin of life
There are two main theories about how life began. One suggests that the first organic molecules came from space, transported by meteorites. The other theory proposes that these molecules were formed here on Earth. The Bennu samples will provide crucial data to understand the role of asteroids in the emergence of these essential molecules.
The return of the capsule to earth
Before NASA experts can examine these valuable samples, the capsule must complete a 7-year journey that began at Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is expected to enter our atmosphere around 08:42 local Utah time, after being released by the Osiris-Rex spacecraft.
During its entry, the capsule will face extreme speeds and temperatures. Paganini mentions that if this event occurred at night, the capsule would shine like a “ball of fire” in the sky.
Equipped with advanced technologies, such as a heat shield, the capsule will protect the Bennu samples during their descent. Once in the atmosphere, a parachute will deploy, allowing for a controlled landing in the Utah desert.
Recovery and analysis of Bennu samples
Specialized teams will mobilize quickly to recover the capsule. Once secured, it will be transported to a controlled environment to avoid any contamination. Later, it will be sent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Finally, at this prestigious center, scientists will begin the exciting process of analyzing the samples. This analysis seeks to decipher the enigmas that Bennu has held for millennia, bringing us one step closer to understanding the vast universe and our place in it.
