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UPI
8 hours ago
- Science
- UPI
Two NASA employees cited for their civic service, 'spirit of exploration'
June 17 (UPI) -- Two NASA employees are being cited for their civic work in the nation's space industry. The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, also known as the Sammies, recognize outstanding federal employees addressing many of the country's greatest challenges. Rich Burns from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and John Blevins of Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., were chosen out of 350 nominees and are a part of the 23 individuals and teams to earn this achievement. "Rich and John exemplify the spirit of exploration and service that defines NASA and our nation's civil servants," said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. "Their leadership, ingenuity and dedication have not only advanced America's space program but also inspired the next generation of innovators. We are proud to see their achievements recognized among the very best of federal service." Burns worked as a project manager of Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx). This mission started on Sept. 18, 2016, with a goal of retreiving a sample of an asteroid. "It's humbling to accept an award based on the achievements of the amazingly talented, dedicated, and innovative OSIRIS-REx team," Burns said. "I consider myself privileged to be counted among a team of true explorers who let no obstacle stand in the way of discovery." Blevins was the chief engineer of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. He led the team as part of Artemis l, first test flight on Nov. 16, 2022. He's currently leading the engineering team of Artemis II as that project prepares for the first crewed lunar mission. "This is a reflection on the hard work and dedication of the entire Artemis Team," Blevins said. "I am working with an incredibly competent, dedicated team agency-wide that goes above and beyond to promote the space exploration goals of our nation. I am honored to accept the award on their behalf." A ceremony will be held in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday and a live-stream on the Sammies website.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists reveal what they found in sample taken from Bennu asteroid
WASHINGTON – NASA has unveiled discoveries made from examining a sample taken from the asteroid Bennu, which sheds light on how widely the building blocks of life exist in the universe. Launched in 2016, the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx for short, traveled to the asteroid – about 200 million miles away from Earth. NASA said the spacecraft successfully collected a sample of rocks and dust from the asteroid's surface in 2020, before dropping the capsule back on Earth in 2023. The historic mission was the first successful U.s. endeavor to collect a sample from an asteroid and return it to Earth. In studies published in Nature and Nature Astronomy, researchers revealed that the sample contained amino acids along with genetic material similar to DNA and RNA. "The clues we're looking for are so minuscule and so easily destroyed or altered from exposure to Earth's environment," Danny Glavin, a senior sample scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said in a statement. "That's why some of these new discoveries would not be possible without a sample-return mission, meticulous contamination-control measures, and careful curation and storage of this precious material from Bennu." 'Touchdown': Nasa's Asteroid Sample Comes Blasting Down To Earth, Landing In Utah Researchers stressed that the compounds suggest that the basic components for life were common throughout the early solar system, but they are not direct evidence of life. Alongside the notable molecular discoveries, the research team said they found evidence that Bennu was rich in salts and other minerals. "Although scientists have previously detected several evaporites in meteorites that fall to Earth's surface, they have never seen a complete set that preserves an evaporation process that could have lasted thousands of years or more. Some minerals found in Bennu, such as trona, were discovered for the first time in extraterrestrial samples," NASA stated. Jason Dworkin, a project scientist with OSIRIS-REx at Nasa, described the findings as adding "major brushstrokes" to the picture of a solar system full of potential for life. The agency said the spacecraft that completed the sample return is on its way to investigate asteroid Apophis. The asteroid, previously known as 99942, is estimated to be around 1,100 feet wide and was only discovered in 2004. At the time, Apophis was thought to be on a trajectory toward Earth. After additional assessments, astronomers now believe that there is no risk of a hazardous collision, at least for a century. The spacecraft, now known as OSIRIS-APEX, is expected to reach the asteroid in 2029 and begin studying its surface composition. See The Objects Humans Left Behind On The MoonOriginal article source: Scientists reveal what they found in sample taken from Bennu asteroid
