NASA has successfully completed its third deep space sample return mission, adding to a lineage of extraterrestrial sample collection efforts. While the Apollo missions brought back hundreds of pounds (kilograms) of moon rocks, NASA’s recent ventures have focused on celestial bodies far beyond our lunar neighbor.
The most recent mission, led by NASA, involved the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which collected samples from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. This achievement follows two previous sample return missions, each with its own unique challenges and outcomes.
NASA’s initial attempt at a robotic sample grab in 2004 ended abruptly when the capsule carrying solar wind particles slammed into the Utah desert, shattering upon impact and compromising the collected samples. However, this setback did not deter the agency’s pursuit of valuable extraterrestrial materials.
Two years later, in 2006, a U.S. capsule returned to Earth with samples of comet dust. Unlike the previous mission, this capsule landed safely, allowing scientists to study the pristine extraterrestrial material.
Japan has also made significant contributions to the field of sample return missions. Their first mission, which took place in 2010, brought back microscopic grains from the asteroid Itokawa. Building on this success, Japan’s second mission in 2020 yielded approximately 5 grams of material from the asteroid Ryugu, equivalent to just a teaspoonful.
The Soviet Union was one of the pioneers in extraterrestrial sample return missions, successfully transporting lunar samples to Earth during the 1970s. More recently, in 2020, China joined the ranks of nations capable of returning lunar material, further advancing our understanding of the moon and space beyond.
These sample return missions play a crucial role in expanding our knowledge of the cosmos and provide valuable insights into the formation and composition of celestial bodies. As technology continues to advance, scientists anticipate even more ambitious missions to unlock the mysteries of the universe.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
