Nasa scientists inspect samples from asteroid Bennu. Nasa
Nasa scientists inspect samples from asteroid Bennu. Nasa
Technicians examine the sample return capsule from Nasa's Osiris-Rex mission. AP
Technicians examine the sample return capsule from Nasa's Osiris-Rex mission. AP
Recovery team members carry a capsule containing Nasa's first asteroid samples to a temporary clean room at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. AP
Recovery team members carry a capsule containing Nasa's first asteroid samples to a temporary clean room at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. AP
A recovery team member examines a capsule containing Nasa's first asteroid samples. AP
A recovery team member examines a capsule containing Nasa's first asteroid samples. AP
The sample return capsule from the Osiris-Rex mission is lowered into the parking lot by helicopter. EPA
The sample return capsule from the Osiris-Rex mission is lowered into the parking lot by helicopter. EPA
A helicopter transports a capsule carrying NASA's first asteroid samples at Dugway Proving Ground, in Utah on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The Osiris-Rex spacecraft released the capsule following a seven-year journey to asteroid Bennu and back. (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer, Pool)
A helicopter transports a capsule carrying NASA's first asteroid samples at Dugway Proving Ground, in Utah on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The Osiris-Rex spacecraft released the capsule following a seven-year journey to asteroid Bennu and back. (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer, Pool)
The return capsule shortly after touching down in the desert. Nasa
The return capsule shortly after touching down in the desert. Nasa
The return capsule containing a sample collected from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is seen shortly after touching down in the desert at the Department of Defense's Utah Test and Training Range in Dugway, Utah, U. S. September 24, 2023. NASA/Keegan Barber/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The return capsule containing a sample collected from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is seen shortly after touching down in the desert at the Department of Defense's Utah Test and Training Range in Dugway, Utah, U. S. September 24, 2023. NASA/Keegan Barber/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The return capsule shortly after touching down. Nasa
The return capsule shortly after touching down. Nasa
The sample return capsule is transported by helicopter after it landed. AP
The sample return capsule is transported by helicopter after it landed. AP
An artist impression of the spacecraft collecting a sample from the asteroid Bennu. Nasa
An artist impression of the spacecraft collecting a sample from the asteroid Bennu. Nasa
Asteroid Bennu. Nasa
Asteroid Bennu. Nasa

World

US

Asteroid Bennu: Nasa's seven-year mission brings samples back to Earth

The US has become the second country after Japan to achieve the daring feat

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

September 25, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

A spacecraft has delivered asteroid samples to Earth after travelling through deep space for seven years.

The Osiris-Rex spacecraft flew close to Earth on Sunday and dropped a capsule carrying 250 grams of soil from the asteroid Bennu, a celestial object that could help scientists learn more about the formation of the Solar System.

It carried out a parachute-assisted landing in a remote Utah desert and was then transported in a helicopter to Texas, so it could be secured inside a clean room.

The US has now become the second country, after Japan, to bring back asteroid samples.

"Congratulations to the Osiris-Rex team on a picture-perfect mission – the first American asteroid sample return in history – which will deepen our understanding of the origin of our Solar System and its formation," said Nasa administrator Bill Nelson.

"Not to mention, Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid, and what we learn from the sample will help us better understand the types of asteroids that could come our way."

How did the Osiris-Rex secure samples?

Bennu is a near-Earth asteroid that was first discovered in 1999 and is said to be formed from materials that date back billions of years.

The sample collection was a complex process because there was an 18.5-minute delay in sending and receiving signals between mission control and the craft due to the distance.

A helicopter transports a capsule carrying Nasa's first asteroid samples at Dugway Proving Ground, in Utah. AP
A helicopter transports a capsule carrying Nasa's first asteroid samples at Dugway Proving Ground, in Utah. AP

Navigation cameras on the capsule helped it successfully reach the asteroid.

Bennu orbits the sun at 101,388kph. Osiris-Rex was programmed to travel towards it at about 19,400kph and slow itself down on approach.

Once close enough, the spacecraft extended its robotic arm and vacuumed up samples.

How did the craft deliver the asteroid soil back to Earth?

After travelling billions of kilometres to Bennu and back, the spacecraft released its sample capsule towards Earth’s atmosphere at 2.42pm, UAE time.

The spacecraft was 102,000km from Earth’s surface at the time – about one-third of the distance from Earth to the Moon.

The capsule entered the atmosphere at 6.42pm while travelling at 27,650km and, within 10 minutes, it landed on a military range in a Utah desert.

Two parachutes that deployed helped to stabilise and slow the capsule down.

"Curation scientists there will disassemble the canister, extract and weigh the sample, create an inventory of the rocks and dust, and, over time, distribute pieces of Bennu to scientists worldwide," Nasa said.

What's next?

Scientists will be studying the samples from asteroid Bennu.

Read more

Nasa saves asteroid sample collection mission after pieces leak away into space

Nasa's Osiris-Rex probe successfully touches asteroid to bring back surface dust

But the spacecraft that delivered them will now depart to another asteroid for its next mission.

It is making its way to asteroid Apophis, with the craft now renamed from Osiris-Rex to Osiris-Apex.

Scientists are concerned about Apophis because it is expected to come about 32,000km of Earth in 2029, which is less than one-tenth the distance between Earth and the Moon.

"Osiris-Apex is scheduled to enter orbit of Apophis soon after the asteroid’s close approach of Earth to see how the encounter affected the asteroid’s orbit, spin rate and surface," Nasa said.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
If you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.

The hotels

Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes. 

Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars

MATCH INFO

Champions League last 16, first leg

Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)

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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

In numbers

Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m

Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’  in Dubai is worth... $600m

China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn

The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn

Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn 

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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

On Women's Day
On Women's Day

Sui Dhaaga: Made in India

Director: Sharat Katariya

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav

3.5/5

Updated: September 25, 2023, 6:53 AM`
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