The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library.

<h2>Titan Submersible Implosion&nbsp;</h2>

On June 18th, Titan, a submersible carrying five passengers, embarked on a fascinating expedition to view the wreck of Titanic, a ship known for its tragic end. However, merely 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with its mother ship, the 'Polar Prince'.&nbsp;

Four days after it went missing, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered debris containing parts of Titan. It was found merely 500 metres (1,640.42 feet) from the bow of the Titanic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-lets-rewind-2023-to-medical-breakthroughs-that-gave-world-hope-668897">Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope</a>

The Coast Guard announcing the discovery of debris said that it indicated the Titan's implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard — Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert; and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo.

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/07/03/364126-new-wion-58.png?imwidth=3840" />

<h2>Alien Mummies in Mexico</h2>

On September 13, journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan presented the specimens at a Mexico congressional event on UFOs or FANIs in Spanish.

At the time, Maussan said that the bodies believed to have been found near the mysterious ancient Nazca lines in Peru were not related to life on Earth.

As expected, the scientific community had its doubts. However, in November, at a Congressional hearing in Mexico, researchers declared that the previously displayed three-fingered Peruvian mummies were authentic. However, they cautiously steered away from certifying the remains' extraterrestrial origins.

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/08/391965-new-wion-2023-11-08t162956628.jpg?imwidth=3840" />

<h2>NASA's First-Ever Report on UFOs</h2>

September was truly a month of extraterrestrials. Apart from the Peruvian mummies that month, NASA also unveiled a report on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), or UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwis1e6UibKDAxVZTmwGHV1_D9AQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2O8NmctanKgzpaYTcgG0pX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303" target="_blank">Rewind 2023: 8 AI-Generated Images That Went Viral This Year</a>

In its report, the US space agency said that it did not find any evidence that the recently reported a spate of UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin. However, Bill Nelson, Administrator of NASA, said that the finding does not mean that the space agency is denying the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe.

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/05/17/352229-new-wion-77.png?imwidth=3840" />

<h2>A Special Delivery From Space</h2>

In October, NASA successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of an asteroid called Bennu. The materials, dating back around 4.5 billion years, were collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe in 2020. Finally, this year, the precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826.05 kilometres) to touch down on Earth.&nbsp;

"That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning," said the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta at the time.

The celestial specimen can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more as&nbsp;asteroid samples, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system.&nbsp;

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/24/381732-untitled-design-2023-09-24t210010052.png?imwidth=3840" />

<h2>Crashing Into The Moon</h2>

You've heard of car crashes, but 2023 was the year of a space crash. In August, Russia's first moon mission in 47 years failed, with the Luna-25 spacecraft spinning out of control and crashing into the moon.&nbsp;

The spacecraft sought to land on the Moon's South Pole, and collect geological samples from the lunar surface. This was seen as a precursor to the eventual human colony on the moon.

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/01/376706-copy-of-untitled-4.png?imwidth=3840" />

<h2>Dark Side of the Moon&nbsp;</h2>

Soon after Russia failed, India succeeded in landing on the South Pole or the dark side of the moon. On August 23, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with its lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, made the historic achievement, making India the first country to touch down on the unexplored side of the Earth's lunar satellite. Not just that, India also etched its name in history as only the fourth nation to touch the lunar surface.&nbsp; 
<img alt="Chandrayaan 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7765fb88-73fa-4349-a58f-24daee16d22d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2878%29.jpg" />

<h2>Mysterious Object Haunts Australia Beach</h2>

In July, a large mysterious object was found on a remote West Australian beach. Initially, it was thought to be rocket debris from India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3. However, India denied any links to the object and the origins of this object still remain unknown. It was eventually moved to a secret location.

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/07/19/368161-new-wion40.png?imwidth=3840" />

<h2>Life on Mars?</h2>

In October, NASA announced that it had found evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars… once upon a time. Examining data collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover, a team of researchers deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water.&nbsp;

"We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/26/389117-new-wion-13.jpg?imwidth=3840" />

The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library.

The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library. Titan Submersible Implosion On June 18th, Titan, a submersible carrying five passengers, embarked on a fascinating expedition to view the wreck of Titanic, a ship known for its tragic end. However, merely 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with its mother ship, the 'Polar Prince'. Four days after it went missing, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered debris containing parts of Titan. It was found merely 500 metres (1,640.42 feet) from the bow of the Titanic. Also read | Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope The Coast Guard announcing the discovery of debris said that it indicated the Titan's implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard — Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert; and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo. Alien Mummies in Mexico On September 13, journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan presented the specimens at a Mexico congressional event on UFOs or FANIs in Spanish. At the time, Maussan said that the bodies believed to have been found near the mysterious ancient Nazca lines in Peru were not related to life on Earth. As expected, the scientific community had its doubts. However, in November, at a Congressional hearing in Mexico, researchers declared that the previously displayed three-fingered Peruvian mummies were authentic. However, they cautiously steered away from certifying the remains' extraterrestrial origins. NASA's First-Ever Report on UFOs September was truly a month of extraterrestrials. Apart from the Peruvian mummies that month, NASA also unveiled a report on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), or UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena). Also read | Rewind 2023: 8 AI-Generated Images That Went Viral This Year In its report, the US space agency said that it did not find any evidence that the recently reported a spate of UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin. However, Bill Nelson, Administrator of NASA, said that the finding does not mean that the space agency is denying the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe. A Special Delivery From Space In October, NASA successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of an asteroid called Bennu. The materials, dating back around 4.5 billion years, were collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe in 2020. Finally, this year, the precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826.05 kilometres) to touch down on Earth. "That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning," said the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta at the time. The celestial specimen can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more as asteroid samples, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system. Crashing Into The Moon You've heard of car crashes, but 2023 was the year of a space crash. In August, Russia's first moon mission in 47 years failed, with the Luna-25 spacecraft spinning out of control and crashing into the moon. The spacecraft sought to land on the Moon's South Pole, and collect geological samples from the lunar surface. This was seen as a precursor to the eventual human colony on the moon. Dark Side of the Moon Soon after Russia failed, India succeeded in landing on the South Pole or the dark side of the moon. On August 23, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with its lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, made the historic achievement, making India the first country to touch down on the unexplored side of the Earth's lunar satellite. Not just that, India also etched its name in history as only the fourth nation to touch the lunar surface. Mysterious Object Haunts Australia Beach In July, a large mysterious object was found on a remote West Australian beach. Initially, it was thought to be rocket debris from India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3. However, India denied any links to the object and the origins of this object still remain unknown. It was eventually moved to a secret location. Life on Mars? In October, NASA announced that it had found evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars… once upon a time. Examining data collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover, a team of researchers deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water. "We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Rewind 2023: Moments this year that seemed straight out of science fiction

NASA's Johnson Space Center has been struggling to open a canister which kept an asteroid sample safe during its journey through space. A month ago, pristine samples from an asteroid landed on Earth, enclosed within a tight capsule.

NASA's Johnson Space Center has been struggling to open a canister which kept an asteroid sample safe during its journey through space. A month ago, pristine samples from an asteroid landed on Earth, enclosed within a tight capsule. However, the curation team for the OSIRIS-REx mission, the first US mission to collect a sample from asteroid Bennu, has been having trouble opening the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) head. The team has been handling the TAGSAM head carefully using a specialised glovebox under the nitrogen flow to prevent contamination. In a blog post, NASA said, "After multiple attempts at removal, the team discovered that they could not remove two of the 35 fasteners on the TAGSAM head with the current tools approved for use in the OSIRIS-REx glovebox. The team has been developing and implementing new approaches to extract the material inside the head while continuing to keep the sample safe and pristine." ALSO READ | Giant solar storm to hit Earth on Oct 24: Here's how to protect yourself On the initial removal of the aluminium lid on the canister, the mission team found black dust and debris on the avionics deck. On 11 October 2023, NASA revealed the first sample collected from TAGSAM's outer covering. However, it mentioned that the team still hasn't opened the sample canister. So far, the curation team has removed some of the material from inside the canisters using tweezers. "The tools for any proposed solution to extract the remaining material from the head must be able to fit inside the glovebox and not compromise the scientific integrity of the collection, and any procedures must be consistent with the clean room's standards," NASA wrote in its blog post. ALSO READ | Human sperm is breaking one of Newton's laws of motion and the finding may be revolutionary According to NASA, the asteroid samples collected exceed the mission's goal of gathering 60 grams of debris from the asteroid. The space agency has recovered 70.3 grams of rocks and dust. The research team has also found an abundance of carbon and water molecules in the samples. Launched in September 2016, the OSIRIS-REx mission reached asteroid Bennu in December 2018. The spacecraft landed on Bennu and collected a sample from its surface in October 2020. Then, OSIRIS-REx dropped the asteroid sample in the Utah desert on 24 September 2023. Although the mission has hit a temporary block, the initial findings from the asteroid sample look promising. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

A canister containing asteroid samples is giving NASA a hard time. Here's why

Osiris-Rex spacecraft of&nbsp;the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to begin on Tuesday a delicate operation&nbsp;to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu.

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One week ahead of schedule &amp; exceeding all expectations, our <a href="https://twitter.com/OSIRISREx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OSIRISREx</a> spacecraft is ready to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu! 
 
Read more about the latest mission developments <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ToBennuAndBack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ToBennuAndBack</a>: <a href="https://t.co/GFjKADhuaT">https://t.co/GFjKADhuaT</a> <a href="https://t.co/ciTXUD73Kj">pic.twitter.com/ciTXUD73Kj</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1320836379383877632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The probe is on a mission to collect fragments that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system, but that hit a snag after it picked up too big of a sample.

On October 22,&nbsp;the OSIRIS-REx mission team received images that showed the spacecraft’s collector head overflowing with material collected from Bennu’s surface, well over the two-ounce (60-gram) mission requirement, and that some of these particles appeared to be slowly escaping from the collection head, called the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM).

A mylar flap on the TAGSAM allows the material to easily enter the collector's head and should seal shut once the particles pass through. However, larger rocks that didn’t fully pass through the flap into the TAGSAM appear to have wedged this flap open, allowing bits of the sample to leak out.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-collected-an-asteroid-sample-but-some-of-it-is-leaking-into-space-337667" hreflang="en">NASA collected an asteroid sample. But some of it is leaking into space</a>

Because the first sample collection event was so successful, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has given the mission team the go-ahead to expedite sample stowage, originally scheduled for November&nbsp;2, in the spacecraft’s Sample Return Capsule (SRC) to minimize further sample loss.

"The abundance of material we collected from Bennu made it possible to expedite our decision to stow,” said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. “The team is now working around the clock to accelerate the stowage timeline so that we can protect as much of this material as possible for a return to Earth."

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Tomorrow, the OSIRIS-REx mission will begin the process to stow its abundant sample of asteroid Bennu. It’s a few days earlier than originally anticipated, but the team is working hard to make sure we get every bit of Bennu we possibly can. More details: <a href="https://t.co/b7Wnoz219q">https://t.co/b7Wnoz219q</a> <a href="https://t.co/PXIlkZhnzi">pic.twitter.com/PXIlkZhnzi</a>
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) <a href="https://twitter.com/OSIRISREx/status/1320826816202825728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Fragments from the asteroid's surface area in a collector at the end of the probe's three-meter (10-foot) arm, slowly escaping into space because some rocks have prevented the compartment from closing completely.

That arm is what came into contact with Bennu for a few seconds last Tuesday in the culmination of a mission launched from Earth some four years ago.&nbsp;

The team will send the preliminary commands to the spacecraft to start the stow sequence and, once OSIRIS-REx completes each step in the sequence, the spacecraft sends telemetry and images back to the team on Earth and waits for the team’s confirmation to proceed with the next step.

Osiris-Rex is set to come home in September 2023, hopefully with the largest sample returned from space since the Apollo era.

The stowing operation will take several days, NASA said, because it requires the team's oversight and input unlike some of Osiris-Rex's other operations that run autonomously.

After each step in the process, the spacecraft will send information and images back to Earth so scientists can make sure everything is proceeding correctly.

The probe is so far away that it takes 18.5 minutes for its transmissions to reach Earth, and any signal from the control room requires the same amount of time to reach Osiris-Rex.

Osiris-Rex spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to begin on Tuesday a delicate operation to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu.

Osiris-Rex spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to begin on Tuesday a delicate operation to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu. One week ahead of schedule & exceeding all expectations, our @OSIRISREx spacecraft is ready to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu! Read more about the latest mission developments #ToBennuAndBack: https://t.co/GFjKADhuaT pic.twitter.com/ciTXUD73Kj — NASA (@NASA) October 26, 2020 × The probe is on a mission to collect fragments that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system, but that hit a snag after it picked up too big of a sample. On October 22, the OSIRIS-REx mission team received images that showed the spacecraft’s collector head overflowing with material collected from Bennu’s surface, well over the two-ounce (60-gram) mission requirement, and that some of these particles appeared to be slowly escaping from the collection head, called the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM). A mylar flap on the TAGSAM allows the material to easily enter the collector's head and should seal shut once the particles pass through. However, larger rocks that didn’t fully pass through the flap into the TAGSAM appear to have wedged this flap open, allowing bits of the sample to leak out. Also read: NASA collected an asteroid sample. But some of it is leaking into space Because the first sample collection event was so successful, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has given the mission team the go-ahead to expedite sample stowage, originally scheduled for November 2, in the spacecraft’s Sample Return Capsule (SRC) to minimize further sample loss. "The abundance of material we collected from Bennu made it possible to expedite our decision to stow,” said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. “The team is now working around the clock to accelerate the stowage timeline so that we can protect as much of this material as possible for a return to Earth." Tomorrow, the OSIRIS-REx mission will begin the process to stow its abundant sample of asteroid Bennu. It’s a few days earlier than originally anticipated, but the team is working hard to make sure we get every bit of Bennu we possibly can. More details: https://t.co/b7Wnoz219q pic.twitter.com/PXIlkZhnzi — NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) October 26, 2020 × Fragments from the asteroid's surface area in a collector at the end of the probe's three-meter (10-foot) arm, slowly escaping into space because some rocks have prevented the compartment from closing completely. That arm is what came into contact with Bennu for a few seconds last Tuesday in the culmination of a mission launched from Earth some four years ago. The team will send the preliminary commands to the spacecraft to start the stow sequence and, once OSIRIS-REx completes each step in the sequence, the spacecraft sends telemetry and images back to the team on Earth and waits for the team’s confirmation to proceed with the next step. Osiris-Rex is set to come home in September 2023, hopefully with the largest sample returned from space since the Apollo era. The stowing operation will take several days, NASA said, because it requires the team's oversight and input unlike some of Osiris-Rex's other operations that run autonomously. After each step in the process, the spacecraft will send information and images back to Earth so scientists can make sure everything is proceeding correctly. The probe is so far away that it takes 18.5 minutes for its transmissions to reach Earth, and any signal from the control room requires the same amount of time to reach Osiris-Rex.

NASA's Osiris-Rex ready to stow its samples collected from asteroid Bennu

After a four-year journey,&nbsp;&nbsp;NASA's&nbsp;robotic spacecraft&nbsp;Osiris-Rex&nbsp;successfully snatched on Tuesday&nbsp;a sample from asteroid Bennu's boulder-strewn surface&nbsp;to bring home the space agency's largest sample&nbsp;since the Apollo&nbsp;era.

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The back-away burn is complete 🛑✅ I'm now moving to a safe distance away from Bennu. <a href="https://t.co/bXk2ufSneS">pic.twitter.com/bXk2ufSneS</a>
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) <a href="https://twitter.com/OSIRISREx/status/1318676604193832966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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At 6:12 p.m. EDT (22:12 GMT), the spacecraft performed a meticulous five-second 'touch-and-go' technique or TAG maneuver by autonomously extending its 11-foot (3.35 m) robotic arm toward a flat patch of gravel roughly the size of a basketball court near Bennu's north pole.

It was managed by Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, Colorado&nbsp;where&nbsp;an announcer said: "Touchdown declared. Sampling is in progress," and scientists erupted in celebration.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gd9cmMysX0A" width="560"></iframe>

The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload: at least 60 grams (two ounces), or a candy-bar sized amount of surface material that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system.

The spacecraft launched in 2016 from Kennedy Space Center for the journey to Bennu. It has been in orbit around the asteroid for nearly two years preparing for the "touch and go" maneuver.

A collection device attached to the arm and shaped like an oversized showerhead 'touched' Bennu's surface for five seconds and shot out a burst of nitrogen gas, kicking up debris and entrapping rocky material inside the device's sampling head.

The ground controllers are expected to confirm the capture of Bennu remnants a few hours after the attempt. That will allow the spacecraft to start its journey back toward Earth arriving in 2023 to return the first US&nbsp;cache of pristine asteroid rocks. Japan is the only other country to accomplish this before.

Asteroids are among the leftover debris from the solar system's formation some 4.5 billion years ago.

Scientists believe asteroids and comets crashing into early Earth may have delivered organic compounds and water that seeded the planet for life. Atomic-level analysis of samples from Bennu could provide key evidence to support that hypothesis

After a four-year journey, NASA's robotic spacecraft Osiris-Rex successfully snatched on Tuesday a sample from asteroid Bennu's boulder-strewn surface to bring home the space agency's largest sample since the Apollo era.

After a four-year journey, NASA's robotic spacecraft Osiris-Rex successfully snatched on Tuesday a sample from asteroid Bennu's boulder-strewn surface to bring home the space agency's largest sample since the Apollo era. The back-away burn is complete 🛑✅ I'm now moving to a safe distance away from Bennu. pic.twitter.com/bXk2ufSneS — NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) October 20, 2020 × At 6:12 p.m. EDT (22:12 GMT), the spacecraft performed a meticulous five-second 'touch-and-go' technique or TAG maneuver by autonomously extending its 11-foot (3.35 m) robotic arm toward a flat patch of gravel roughly the size of a basketball court near Bennu's north pole. It was managed by Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, Colorado where an announcer said: "Touchdown declared. Sampling is in progress," and scientists erupted in celebration. The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload: at least 60 grams (two ounces), or a candy-bar sized amount of surface material that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system. The spacecraft launched in 2016 from Kennedy Space Center for the journey to Bennu. It has been in orbit around the asteroid for nearly two years preparing for the "touch and go" maneuver. A collection device attached to the arm and shaped like an oversized showerhead 'touched' Bennu's surface for five seconds and shot out a burst of nitrogen gas, kicking up debris and entrapping rocky material inside the device's sampling head. The ground controllers are expected to confirm the capture of Bennu remnants a few hours after the attempt. That will allow the spacecraft to start its journey back toward Earth arriving in 2023 to return the first US cache of pristine asteroid rocks. Japan is the only other country to accomplish this before. Asteroids are among the leftover debris from the solar system's formation some 4.5 billion years ago. Scientists believe asteroids and comets crashing into early Earth may have delivered organic compounds and water that seeded the planet for life. Atomic-level analysis of samples from Bennu could provide key evidence to support that hypothesis

NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-government-shuts-news-site-linked-to-ex-pm-amid-protests-336771">Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests</a>

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At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-osiris-rex-grabs-a-piece-of-asteroid-bennu-in-historic-mission-336773">NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission</a>

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The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-offers-1-billion-deal-to-brazil-to-sway-it-away-from-chinas-huawei-5g-network-336778">US offers $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei 5G network</a>

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China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-manchester-uniteds-rashford-stuns-paris-saint-germain-336795">Champions League: Manchester United's Rashford stuns Paris Saint-Germain</a>

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-the-only-country-profiting-in-the-pandemic-336768">Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: China - The only country profiting in the pandemic</a>

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Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week.

Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week. NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload. US offers $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei 5G network China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure. Champions League: Manchester United's Rashford stuns Paris Saint-Germain Watch: Gravitas: China - The only country profiting in the pandemic

Morning news brief: Thai government shuts news site amid protests, Manchester United's Rashford stuns PSG in Champions League & more

A first-of-its-kind near-Earth mission launched by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will briefly touch down an asteroid called Bennu on Tuesday.

The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="426" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gtUgarROs08" width="756"></iframe>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-osiris-rex-all-set-to-grab-a-piece-of-asteroid-bennu-336579" hreflang="en">NASA's Osiris-Rex all set to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu</a>

It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/">NASA TV</a>&nbsp;and will also post it on the agency's website.

Lockheed Martin, who had built the&nbsp;robot explorer will also stream the daring mission live.

The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years.&nbsp;

It is also expected to&nbsp;shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide.

The&nbsp;first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016.

A first-of-its-kind near-Earth mission launched by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will briefly touch down an asteroid called Bennu on Tuesday.

A first-of-its-kind near-Earth mission launched by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will briefly touch down an asteroid called Bennu on Tuesday. The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface. Also read: NASA's Osiris-Rex all set to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on NASA TV and will also post it on the agency's website. Lockheed Martin, who had built the robot explorer will also stream the daring mission live. The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years. It is also expected to shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide. The first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016.

NASA's Osiris-Rex poised to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu: How to watch live

In a first, NASA's van-size asteroid chaser Osiris-Rex probe&nbsp;is going to attempt the audacious task of grabbing a piece of asteroid Bennu.

The event marks a potential boon for science, exploration, and the comprehension of the solar system.

It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/">NASA TV</a> and will also post it on the agency's website.

The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface.

The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years.&nbsp;

It is also expected to&nbsp;shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide.

The&nbsp;first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016.

The robot explorer has been built by Lockheed Martin to carry out the seven-year, $1 billion mission to and from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

In a first, NASA's van-size asteroid chaser Osiris-Rex probe is going to attempt the audacious task of grabbing a piece of asteroid Bennu. The event marks a potential boon for science, exploration, and the comprehension of the solar system.

In a first, NASA's van-size asteroid chaser Osiris-Rex probe is going to attempt the audacious task of grabbing a piece of asteroid Bennu. The event marks a potential boon for science, exploration, and the comprehension of the solar system. It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on NASA TV and will also post it on the agency's website. The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface. The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years. It is also expected to shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide. The first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016. The robot explorer has been built by Lockheed Martin to carry out the seven-year, $1 billion mission to and from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

NASA's Osiris-Rex all set to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu