NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission Returns Record-Breaking Asteroid Sample

The mission's success in collecting over 121 grams of material from Bennu offers unprecedented insights into the solar system's early days.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission successfully returned 121.6 grams (4.29 ounces) of asteroid Bennu material to Earth, more than doubling its initial goal.
The sample, the largest ever collected from an asteroid, will help scientists study the origins of the solar system and the potential for life.
The mission faced challenges, including stuck fasteners that delayed opening the sample container, but innovative solutions allowed for full access to the material.
A significant portion of the sample will be preserved for future research, with at least 70% stored at Johnson Space Center.
The material will be distributed to researchers worldwide, including contributions to the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).