NASA spacecraft successfully collects asteroid sample in 10-second mission 200 million miles from Earth

Cheers erupted in Denver when the Osiris-Rex confirmed it had carried out the mission. Pic: NASA

Osiris-Rex has been orbiting Bennu for almost two years, but this mission is a first for the US - only Japan has managed to collect asteroid samples before. Scientists are aiming for between 60g and 2kg of Bennu's black, carbon-rich rubble, but will have to wait until 2023 when the samples are returned to Earth to find out just how much was collected.

The van-sized spacecraft can make up to three attempts at the touch-and-go manoeuvre if inadequate samples are returned."That will be another big day for us. But this is absolutely the major event of the mission right now," NASA scientist Lucy Lim said.If the scientists can analyse the material it is made up of, they can better predict the paths and properties of hazardous space rocks like it and help ensure the planet stays safe.

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