Startalk Radio – OSIRIS-REx & Asteroid Mining with Natalie Starkey

Intro

In this episode of Startalk Radio, resident Cosmo chemist Natalie Starkey joins the hosts to discuss NASA’s Osiris Rex sample return mission from asteroid Bennu. They explore the mission’s objectives, the potential for asteroid mining, and the importance of studying asteroids for understanding the formation of the solar system.

Main Takeaways

Osiris Rex Mission and Bennu

• NASA’s Osiris Rex mission aims to collect a sample from asteroid Bennu and return it to Earth.
• Bennu is an Earth Crossing asteroid that has a small chance of hitting Earth in 2182.
• The mission is named after the suggestion to name it OSIRIS.
• The Arkovsky effect, a new phenomenon affecting the orbit of objects around the Sun, is being studied to understand its impact on Bennu’s orbit.

Asteroid Composition and Shape

• Studying asteroids up close can provide insights into their composition and shape.
• Asteroids with a lot of water in them have their orbit affected as the water sublimates away.
• Different asteroids have different compositions and structures, making it challenging to predict their reaction to attempts to alter their course.
• Rubble pile asteroids, like Bennu, are made up of many pieces held together, which may break up instead of moving if hit with a kinetic impactor.

Sample Collection and Analysis

• The Osiris Rex mission aimed to collect 60 grams of rock from Bennu but may have collected up to a kilogram.
• The recently collected sample is expected to contain ordinary geochemical materials, but there may be interesting findings along the way.
• Sample analysis from previous missions, like Stardust, took a long time due to the difficulty of extracting particles from the aerogel.
• Asteroids contain building blocks for life and are of great interest to scientists.

Asteroid Mining and Economic Implications

• Mining asteroids can be profitable due to the presence of precious metals needed for technology.
• Economic implications and challenges need to be considered before mining asteroids.
• Metal-rich asteroids are harder to mine than rubble piles, but there are ways to do it with existing technology.
• Mining asteroids could potentially flood the market with metals and collapse that sector of the economy.

Summary

NASA’s Osiris Rex Mission and Bennu

NASA’s Osiris Rex mission is focused on collecting a sample from asteroid Bennu and returning it to Earth. Bennu is an Earth Crossing asteroid with a small chance of hitting Earth in 2182. The mission’s name, OSIRIS, was suggested by someone and stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security, Regolith Explorer. The Arkovsky effect, a new phenomenon affecting the orbit of objects around the Sun, is being studied to understand its impact on Bennu’s orbit. By studying asteroids up close, scientists can gain insights into their composition and shape, refining predictions about potential collisions with Earth.

Sample Collection and Analysis

The Osiris Rex mission aimed to collect 60 grams of rock from Bennu, but the amount collected may be higher. The recently collected sample is expected to contain ordinary geochemical materials, but there may be interesting findings along the way. Previous sample analysis missions, such as Stardust, faced challenges in extracting particles from aerogel. Asteroids contain building blocks for life, making them of great interest to scientists.

Asteroid Mining and Economic Implications

Asteroid mining has the potential to be profitable due to the presence of precious metals required for technology. However, economic implications and challenges need to be carefully considered. Metal-rich asteroids are more difficult to mine than rubble piles, but existing technology offers solutions. The mining industry could face significant disruptions if the market becomes flooded with metals from asteroid mining. On the other hand, developing technologies with a sufficient supply of certain metals could create a new industry.

Conclusion

The Osiris Rex mission and the study of asteroids provide valuable insights into the formation of the solar system, the potential for asteroid mining, and the presence of building blocks for life. While challenges and economic implications exist, the exploration and study of asteroids continue to expand our understanding of the universe. Keep looking up!