Artist's impression of the Osiris-REx probe, which is due to take a sample from the asteroid Bannu in 2020. -

NASA

The American space agency published this Wednesday the first images of the ground sampling operation of the asteroid Bennu by the Osiris-Rex probe which took place the day before.

They show that the device has undoubtedly succeeded in recovering grains or stones.

The probe touched the asteroid's ground for about six seconds to collect, using an arm, grains of sand and dust from Bennu's ground, lifted from the surface by a blast of compressed gas.

On the succession of photographs taken during the approach, we see the arm approaching the ground, then obviously breaking a large but apparently crumbly stone at the moment of contact, which is good news, said Dante Lauretta, responsible for the mission. .

Then the blast of nitrogen projected a cloud of dust and grains;

again good news.

How it started: How it's going: pic.twitter.com/xT7hLo7SCl

- NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) October 21, 2020

Return to Earth in 2023

"The conclusion, based on the images we have received so far, is that the sampling operation went very well, as well as expected," the scientist said.

The probability that materials were collected "has greatly increased", he said.

The next few days will deliver the final verdict: first on the basis of photographs of the sample inside the probe, then with the exact measurement of the mass, by a rotation operation of the probe on Saturday, with a report final expected Monday.

The goal is at least sixty grams recovered.

The probe was not damaged on contacting the asteroid, the mechanism was triggered, and it was then able to move away at a safe distance.

"The Osiris-Rex mission went beyond all expectations," said NASA boss Jim Bridenstine, congratulating the teams.

The samples will then have to be brought back to Earth: the return is scheduled for September 2023.

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