NASA Successfully Opens Asteroid Sample Capsule from OSIRIS-REx Mission

Over 70 Grams of Ancient Asteroid Material Now Available for Global Scientific Study

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission successfully opened a capsule containing samples from the asteroid Bennu, after overcoming the challenge of two stuck fasteners.
The capsule, returned to Earth in September 2023, contains over 70 grams of asteroid material, exceeding the mission's goal of 60 grams.
The samples, which are billions of years old, are expected to provide insights into the origins of the Solar System and possibly life.
Scientists from around the world will be able to request access to the samples for study later this year.
OSIRIS-REx is now en route to its next asteroid target, Apophis, expected to be reached in April 2029.