Launched on September 8, 2016, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx space probe touched down on the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 and sampled its surface. Using their data, the scientists found that the spacecraft barely escaped sinking when it came into contact with the asteroid’s surface to collect samples.
Like a pit of plastic balls
NASA studied OSIRIS-REx’s close-up images recorded while collecting samples from the asteroid Bennu. Previous laboratory tests had shown that the space probe would have a difficult task in the asteroid during this time, but the images revealed that during the probe’s contact, pebbles spread everywhere and a large 8m diameter crater was created.
Scientists say that as the spacecraft touches the asteroid Bennu, very low resistance is applied, which is almost equivalent to pushing down the piston of a French Press equipment. However, the reaction from the surface surprised scientists.
In a computer simulation generated from the data, the team found that stepping on the asteroid’s surface was like stepping into a pit of plastic balls. NASA says the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft would sink into the asteroid Bennu if it didn’t immediately fire its thrusters to move away from the surface.
The team will use this precise knowledge of Bennu’s surface to design future asteroid missions and develop methods to protect Earth from asteroid collisions.
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