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3 mins
NASA has just recovered the largest asteroid fragment ever collected. The expedition lasted seven years. The highly anticipated analysis of this asteroid will notably make it possible to better understand our origins.
First a small, insignificant black dot, then an open parachute. The descent is perilous because he must drop off in the Utah desert, EUnited States, its precious cargo, a capsule in which is the largest asteroid sample ever collected. The operation is successful, NASA scientists can rejoice. The story began seven years ago with the takeoff of the Osiris-Rex probe. After a very long journey, it was to approach the asteroid Bennu, a rock 500 meters in diameter, but a grain of dust at the scale of the solar system.
First results on October 11
The mission was to recover 250 grams of matier by taking small stones. Once the collection was complete, the probe turned around as planned. Once the delivery was completed, we had to move quickly. The condition of the capsule was checked on site before its transfer by helicopter. Deadlines to be scrupulously respected, otherwise, failure was assured. Carefully, the capsule was taken into an airtight chamber. The study of its contents should last several days. Asteroids contain material more than four billion years old.