For nearly four months, NASA scientists in Houston grappled with a perplexing challenge. A sophisticated metal container held a sample crucial for unraveling the mysteries of our solar system’s early days and potentially shedding light on the origins of life on Earth.
The OSIRIS-REx Mission’s Odyssey
The disk-shaped container, roughly the size of a small tire rim, marked the culmination of an ambitious mission.
Launched in 2016, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft aimed to collect samples from the distant asteroid Bennu and safely return them to Earth. After a seven-year journey through space, the container made its way back in late September 2023.
Unexpected Hurdles: Beyond Screws and Parachutes
While many might dismiss the challenge as trivial, Salvador Martinez, an engineer on the mission, highlighted the underestimated complexity. Headscrews, initially not NASA’s primary concern, became one of the hurdles in the project.
The OSIRIS-REx mission faced numerous potential pitfalls, from the rendezvous with Bennu to the sample collection and the return journey.
The spacecraft’s September flyby involved ejecting a return capsule with the sample container, which survived re-entry and a problematic parachute deployment to land perfectly in the Utah desert.
The Critical Post-Return Phase
With the container safely transported to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Nicole Lunning, the lead sample curator, hoped the most challenging part was over.
However, a significant concern lingered – preventing terrestrial contamination of the asteroid samples within.
Stored in a sealed box resembling a double bed, the container could only be manipulated through glove-inserted ports, akin to “disassembling a computer with oven mitts,” according to Martinez.
The Intricate Disassembly Dilemma
In October, Lunning’s team faced the crucial task of disassembling the capsule. As they removed screws holding it together, they encountered unexpected resistance from two stubborn screws less than a centimeter long, deforming their tools.
Despite the setback, the team managed to collect over 70 grams of dust and rock using tweezers and scoops, surpassing the 60-gram mission target. However, a significant portion remained trapped.
Martinez’s expertise was enlisted to tackle the challenge. The team grappled with the confined space and concerns about contaminating the samples with lubricants.
Ingenious Solutions: The Birth of the Elaborate Screwdriver
In January 2024, engineers devised a metal clamp that clung to the container’s edge, enabling controlled maneuvering of a screwdriver-like head onto the stubborn screws.
On January 10, after careful efforts, the screws yielded. The lid was finally removed, marking a triumph for the team.
“It’s hard to put into words how much it meant to our team,” Martinez expressed.
Beyond the Challenges: A Treasure Trove for Research
While the total mass of the Bennu sample is yet to be announced by NASA, Lunning emphasized that every gram is invaluable for researching early solar system asteroids and life’s building blocks.
Martinez highlighted that the team would investigate why the fasteners got stuck, offering insights for future space missions. For now, they celebrate the successful rescue of a priceless asteroid sample, recognizing the role of an elaborate screwdriver in their triumph.
“We’ll be ready for other missions when they happen,” Martinez concludes. “Until then, we’ll do a lot of celebrating.”