Posted 1/31/2024, 1:35:44 PM
NASA Finally Opens Stubborn Asteroid Sample Container After Months of Failed Attempts
- NASA spent months trying to open container holding precious asteroid sample from Bennu after spacecraft returned to Earth
- Container designed not to open on Earth to prevent contamination, requiring scientists to disassemble it with oven mitts in sealed box
- Scientists initially removed container bolts and gathered 70g of sample, but two small screws wouldn't budge and tools began to deform
- Engineers built custom clamp with screwdriver head to finally remove stubborn screws in January after months of failed attempts
- NASA gathered enough sample to exceed goals and research composition of early solar system, while diagnosing why screws got stuck to inform future missions