Photos: OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Reveal at Johnson Space Center

NASA revealed the contents of the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule today at the agency’s Johnson Space Center. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, JSC Director Vanessa Wyche, and scientists from the OSIRIS-REx team were on hand to share initial details about the asteroid material collected.

The OSIRIS-REx mission launched to the asteroid Bennu in 2016, reached the asteroid in 2018, and orbited Bennu until it grabbed a sample of material from the surface of the asteroid in 2020. In May 2021, the spacecraft began its journey back to Earth, culminating in a soft landing in the Utah desert in September 2023.

OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Reveal Event at NASA JSC in Houston. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

A model of the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return capsule on display at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson shares the first look at OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample material. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

A close look at asteroid Bennu material that is sitting outside the sample collector where the majority of the material collected remains. This material underwent initial analysis by scientists upon the SRC’s return to Earth. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

A look at the asteroid sample material that was selected for a quick analysis by scientists on the OSIRIS-REx team. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

Early analysis of the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample material indicates the presence of carbon and water in the Bennu sample. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission describes what the carbon material found on Bennu can tell us about the Universe. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

The scientists working on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson discusses the agencies upcoming asteroid missions. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

After opening the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return capsule, the team discovered bonus material outside the sample collector. This material had to be carefully collected before the collector could be opened, which has ultimately slowed down the entire collection process for the team. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago