NASA's plan to scoop up dirt from asteroid hits a snag
Share
Tweet
March 20, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — NASA's plan to scoop up dirt and gravel from an asteroid has hit a snag, but scientists say they can overcome it.
The asteroid Bennu was thought to have wide, open areas suitable for the task. But a recently arrived spacecraft revealed the asteroid is covered with boulders and there don't seem to be any big, flat spots that could be used to grab samples.
In a paper released Tuesday by the journal Nature, scientists say they plan to take a closer look at a few smaller areas that might work. They said sampling from those spots poses "a substantial challenge."
"But I am confident...
For access to this article please
sign in or
subscribe.
Reader Comments(0)