‘The impossible became possible’: 4 billion miles later, NASA successfully lands asteroid sample capsule in Utah
NASA scientists at Dugway Proving Ground exploded into applause Sunday morning as mission controllers confirmed a sample capsule, released by the Osiris-Rex spacecraft about four hours earlier, had survived a fiery reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and successfully landed on the sandy soil of Utah’s west desert.
The diminutive pod, measuring about 1 1⁄2 feet by 3 feet and weighing in at around 120 pounds, was charred black after scorching through Earth’s upper atmosphere at more than 27,000 mph and experiencing forces 32 times stronger than the planet’s natural gravity before a bright orange and white parachute deployed, slowing the capsule from hypersonic speed down at a leisurely 11 mph before landing.
The capsule contained a mere cup or so of material captured from a distant asteroid that will allow scientists to look back some 4.5 billion years. It is hoped to unveil new insight into the formation of the solar system and even the origins of water — and life — on Earth.
Read more about what the "largest asteroid sample ever received on Earth" could tell us about "the origin of our solar system."
This week, Dana Perino, who co-anchors Fox News’ morning show “America’s Newsroom” and prime-time show “The Five," will do something she’s never done before: moderate a presidential debate.
Perino talked to the Deseret News about her preparation for Wednesday’s debate and what viewers should expect.
Here are a few highlights:
Could you give us a preview of a question or a theme that might come up during the debate? "There’s a collective anxiety and worry that Americans have right now about the direction of the country ... And I always describe it as a leader should relieve people of that anxiety. And I’m not sure if we’ve heard from the candidates yet on how they will do that."
Is it the moderators’ responsibility, if a candidate says something that’s inaccurate, to fact-check on the fly? "Yes, we do a lot of research on that. I would hope that we could catch it. But also, the other candidates have a responsibility to know their opponents and their weaknesses and to be able to jump on that as well."
Read about how Perino has prepared for the possibility that former President Donald Trump attends the debate.
More in Politics
Trump will skip GOP debate, try to woo striking UAW workers instead (Deseret News)
Jason Rantz: Crime is not a ‘red state problem.’ It’s rising because of liberal policies (Deseret News)
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore: ‘You’d be surprised.’ The power of Utah’s citizen legislature (Deseret News)
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