The science from asteroid sample return missions

TL;DR

Asteroid sample return missions have provided pristine extraterrestrial materials that enable new insights into planetary formation, organic delivery, and asteroid hazards, advancing our understanding of Earth's origins and planetary defense.

Contribution

This paper reviews three asteroid sample return missions, their initial scientific findings, and highlights the importance of these samples in planetary science and hazard assessment.

Findings

Samples are free from terrestrial contamination.

Initial analyses reveal insights into planetary formation.

Samples aid in understanding asteroid hazards.

Abstract

To date, three samples from near-Earth asteroids have been delivered to Earth by Japan's Hayabusa (2010) and Hayabusa2 (2020) missions, and the United States OSIRIS-REx mission (2023). Free from terrestrial contamination, these pristine materials provide new opportunities to investigate planetary formation processes, the delivery of organics and water to the early Earth, and the nature of potentially hazardous asteroids. As analysis of the asteroid samples proceeds in laboratories around the world, we visit each of the missions, review the initial scientific findings, and explore the value of sample return in understanding our origins and protecting our future.