NASA Finds Black Dust and Debris Inside Space Capsule Carrying Asteroid Samples

NASA scientists discovered black dust and debris on the avionics deck of the canister containing the first deep space asteroid sample captured in U.S. history1. The discovery was made after the aluminum lid was removed from the OSIRIS-REx mission’s canister, which completed its seven-year-long mission1. The dust is presumed to be a part of the sample, according to a spokesperson for NASA's Johnson Space Center1. The scientists plan to conduct a quick-look analysis on it1. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collected samples from Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid, with a long stick vacuum13. Some of the sample's contents were lost due to a jammed door after collection13. The capsule traveled about 4 billion miles in total during the $1 billion mission14.

Key facts from the story:

• NASA scientists discovered black dust and debris on the avionics deck of the canister containing the first deep space asteroid sample captured in U.S. history1.
• The discovery was made after the aluminum lid was removed from the OSIRIS-REx mission’s canister, which completed its seven-year-long mission1.
• The dust is presumed to be a part of the sample, according to a spokesperson for NASA's Johnson Space Center1.
• The scientists plan to conduct a quick-look analysis on it1.
• The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collected samples from Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid, with a long stick vacuum13.
• Some of the sample's contents were lost due to a jammed door after collection13.
• The capsule traveled about 4 billion miles in total during the $1 billion mission14.