Today, January 29th, 2025, NASA shared for the first time the results of the analysis of the samples collected by the OSIRIS-REx mission on the Bennu asteroid. The presence of molecules, key to life on Earth, marks an important moment in the study of the history of our universe, ranking among the most fascinating discoveries ever made.
It’s important to note that these findings do not confirm the presence of life, but they strongly suggest the existence of conditions necessary for life to emerge in other places and times in the universe.
Advertisement
Building blocks of life
The results of the analysis conducted have been shared on research papers published in the journals Nature And Nature Astronomy by several scientists from NASA and other institutions. Moreover, the Agency discussed the findings during a brief media on Wednesday morning.
A mixture of organic compounds have been found inside the Bennu dust and rocks among which 14 of the 20 amino acids used to make proteins, and all five nucleobases, the genetic components that form DNA and RNA on Earth.
High levels of ammonia were also detected. The compound can react with formaldehyde to form complex molecules such as amino acids.

By analyzing the minerals present in the samples, scientists found evidence of an environment favorable to kickstarting the chemistry of life, where these molecules may have formed. In fact, eleven of the minerals identified usually are formed when water containing dissolved salts solely evaporates.
“Asteroids provide a time capsule into our home planet’s history, and Bennu’s samples are pivotal in our understanding of what ingredients in our solar system existed before life started on Earth.”
— Nicky Fox, NASA associate admnistrator, Science Mission Directorate
Advertisement
OSIRIS-REx mission
Today’s news has also outlined the high success of the OSIRIS-REx mission, launched in 2016 toward the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.
Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) was the first US mission to collect a sample from an asteroid and deliver it to Earth. It was selected as the third major planetary science mission of NASA’s New Frontiers Program.
The spacecraft reached the asteroid for the first time in 2018, capturing detailed images mapping the surface in search of a safe site. In 2019 the mission team selected a crater for the sample site.
In October 2020, OSIRIS-REx rapidly touched down on Bennu and successfully collected dust and rocks with its robotic arm. After its last flyover in 2021, the spacecraft began its journey back home. On September 24, 2023, the capsule with the samples entered Earth’s atmosphere and landed in Utah’s West Desert.

However, the mission is not over as the spacecraft, after releasing the capsule toward Earth, began a new mission (OSIRIS-APEX) to explore Apophis in 2029, when the asteroid will come within 32,000 kilometers of Earth.
Advertisement