NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is gearing up for a monumental event this September as it prepares to release an asteroid sample capsule that will aim for a landing in the Great Salt Lake Desert. The capsule contains a sample of primordial space rock collected from asteroid Bennu, and scientists hope it will provide valuable insights into the formation of the Solar System.
However, the capsule’s descent won’t be without its challenges. Extreme temperatures, high velocity, and unpredictable weather conditions pose a threat to a successful recovery. To combat these obstacles, a team of scientists and meteorologists will be closely monitoring the weather to ensure favorable conditions for the capsule’s landing.
Utah’s West Desert has been chosen as the designated landing range due to its safe and controlled environment. Despite this, the recovery process could still be impacted by the desert’s conditions, especially during the monsoon season when heavy rains are common.
To gather data on crucial factors such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind, weather balloons will be deployed. This data will then be used to estimate a likely landing location for the capsule. As the capsule enters Earth’s atmosphere above the West Coast, it will rely on a protective entry system that includes a heat shield.
During its descent, the capsule will be closely monitored by radar and infrared tracking systems, as well as aircraft. Special parachutes will be deployed to slow down its descent, ensuring a soft landing for the precious cargo it carries.
Once the capsule is safely recovered, the sample will be moved to a specialized laboratory where it will be preserved and studied. The findings from this historic landing will be analyzed to enhance future space delivery missions.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is responsible for the overall mission management, while Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona serves as the principal investigator. Lockheed Martin Space, on the other hand, built the spacecraft and is in charge of flight operations. This ambitious mission is part of NASA’s New Frontiers Program, which is managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
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