The OSIRIS-REx mission's analysis of asteroid Bennu samples has revealed a remarkable array of organic compounds and minerals essential for life as we know it. These findings provide unprecedented insights into the potential origins of life in our solar system.

• All five nucleobases crucial for DNA and RNA formation (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil) were detected in the Bennu samples.12

• Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, were also identified in the asteroid material.13

• Key minerals necessary for life processes were found alongside the organic compounds.2

• The samples contained a diverse mix of carbon-rich compounds, including some that had never been seen in meteorites before.3

• Water-soluble organic molecules were present, suggesting potential chemical precursors to life.3

• The abundance and diversity of these compounds surpassed scientists' expectations, indicating that asteroids like Bennu could have played a significant role in delivering life's ingredients to Earth.32

These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of the chemical inventory available in the early solar system but also bolster theories about asteroids as potential carriers of life's precursors to planets like Earth.32

The discovery of organic molecules and building blocks of life on asteroid Bennu has profound implications for the search for extraterrestrial life. These findings suggest that the ingredients necessary for life may be more common throughout the universe than previously thought, potentially increasing the likelihood of life existing beyond Earth12. The presence of complex organic compounds on Bennu strengthens the argument that asteroids could have played a crucial role in seeding life on Earth and potentially other celestial bodies2.

• The findings fuel speculation about the possibility of life on icy moons like Europa and Enceladus, which harbor subsurface oceans13.

• The discovery of phosphorus on Enceladus, a vital building block for DNA and RNA, further enhances its astrobiological potential4.

• The presence of organic molecules and evidence of past liquid water interactions on Bennu suggest that similar conditions could exist on other asteroids and celestial bodies5.

These revelations are likely to shape future space exploration missions, with an increased focus on astrobiology and the search for biosignatures on other planets and moons in our solar system13. As our understanding of the distribution of life's building blocks in the cosmos expands, so does the potential for discovering extraterrestrial life in future space exploration endeavors.

The Bennu samples revealed a unique composition of magnesium-sodium phosphate, a mineral not previously detected by remote sensing during the OSIRIS-REx mission1. This phosphate's purity and large grain size are unprecedented in meteorite samples, hinting at Bennu's possible origin from a small, primitive ocean world12. The asteroid's dust is dominated by clay minerals, particularly serpentine, mirroring rocks found at Earth's mid-ocean ridges1. These clays, along with carbonates, iron oxides, and iron sulfides, suggest extensive water-rock interactions in Bennu's past12.

• The samples contain a complete set of evaporite minerals, including calcite, halite, and sylvite, indicating long-term interaction with salt-saturated water34.

• Water-soluble phosphates, crucial for Earth's biochemistry, were unexpectedly found in the samples2.

• The presence of hydrated minerals and clays across Bennu's surface provides evidence of past liquid water interactions, likely on its larger parent body56.

These findings not only shed light on Bennu's watery past but also provide valuable insights into the distribution of water and organic compounds in the early solar system, potentially informing theories about the delivery of water to Earth78.

Launched in 2016, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully collected 121.6 grams of asteroid material from Bennu in October 2020, more than doubling its target goal12. The sample return capsule parachuted back to Earth on September 24, 2023, marking the completion of NASA's first asteroid sample return mission3. Despite challenges posed by Bennu's rocky surface, the mission team employed precise navigation techniques to execute the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM)4. Currently, scientists worldwide are analyzing the samples, with 70% being preserved for future studies using advanced technologies5.