The rare and valuable sample of the asteroid Ryugu was found to be contaminated by Earth bacteria. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft collected the samples from the asteroid Ryugu in 2018.
The samples returned to Earth in 2020 and were split between different teams of scientists to study them effectively. One of the teams of scientists discovered that a sample from Ryugu was contaminated with Earth bacteria. One of the researchers from the team told space.com that the bacteria took a filamentous form suggesting the bacteria could be ‘Bacillus’ as it is the most common rod-like filamentous bacteria on Earth.
“A new study reveals that a sample from asteroid Ryugu, collected by the JAXA Hayabusa 2 mission, was rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms despite strict contamination control,” shared a user on X.
A new study reveals that a sample from asteroid Ryugu, collected by the JAXA Hayabusa 2 mission, was rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms despite strict contamination control.
The sample, analyzed using advanced microscopy, showed organic structures resembling Earth… pic.twitter.com/SHABMPXVsL
— Erika (@ExploreCosmos_) November 22, 2024
The analysis of this sample was carried out under strict contamination control measures. Yet, it appears that contamination occurred during handling or storage on Earth. This suggests that the handling of such valuable space samples should be done with more strict protocols.
Overview of the Hayabusa 2 Mission
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Hayabusa 2 mission to the asteroid Ryugu in December 2014. The mission landed on the asteroid in June 2018 and successfully returned to Earth with the samples in December 2020.
Why are asteroid samples so valuable?
On Earth geological processes constantly reshape the surface. Whereas, asteroids remain preserved in the vast empty vacuum of Space. Thus, Studying the samples from the asteroid can provide insights into its chemical and physical composition. These findings can reveal information about the building blocks of planets and the chemical processes that occurred during the solar system’s formation.
Asteroids often contain life-related materials such as carbon and other organic compounds. For example, the analysis of samples from the asteroid Bennu revealed a significant presence of carbon and water-bearing minerals in it. These findings suggest that asteroids could have delivered the essential ingredients for life to Earth through impacts. Future missions like the HERA mission will certainly help us understand the asteroids more deeply.
