SPACE — Recent data retrieved from NASA's OSIRIS-REx space probe shows water is locked inside the asteroid Bennu.<br /><br />OSIRIS-REx began approaching the asteroid between mid-August and early December. It traveled about 2.2 million kilometers from Earth until it reached a location 19 kilometers from Bennu.<br /><br />Once positioned, OSIRIS-REx proceeded to collect data from the asteroid using the Osiris Visible and Infrared Spectrometer and Osiris Thermal Emission Spectrometer.<br /><br />The data revealed the presence of hydroxyl molecules, which are made up of oxygen and hydrogen atoms.<br /><br />Hydroxyl molecules are found in water-bearing clay minerals. This finding suggests that Bennu has previously interacted with water.<br /><br />OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to enter Bennu's orbit on Dec. 31 and will remain within its orbit until mid-February 2019.<br /><br />The spacecraft will orbit the asteroid at a range of 1.4 kilometers to 2 kilometers, making Bennu the smallest planetary body ever to be orbited by a spacecraft.<br /><br />OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to collect samples from Bennu's surface in mid-2020. After mapping and selecting a site to collect samples of the asteroid, the spacecraft will use its Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism to extract rocks and dirt from the asteroid's surface.<br /><br />The Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism is an 11-foot robotic arm that uses nitrogen to stir up loose dirt and rocks from the asteroid's surface. <br /><br />The dirt particles are then collected and stored in a canister that is later placed inside a heatproof Sample Return Capsule.<br /><br />The spacecraft is expected to travel back to Earth and drop off the capsule containing the samples in September 2023.
