NASA can’t get two screws out…

[mattwithcats]

NASA got the sample back from the asteroid,
but two stuck bolts are preventing removal of the samples…

NASA works to recover 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid sample from seven-year mission

NASA works to recover 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid sample from seven-year mission

The bulk of asteroid Bennu's sample is still in the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism that it arrived to Earth in.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Malo83]

Where's AutoMechanic, Ace Troubleshooter.

 

[vavavroom]

NASA screwed themselves.

 

[Oro_O]

Impact driver + BFH

EZPZ.

NASA, seriously? This isn’t rocket science. Oh, wait a minute…

 

[ecotourist]

They may have to drill them out (oh the horror). Should have used Robertson screws.

 

[Dave Sherman]

Oh man, knew we should have put some anti-seize on those screws...

 

[Skippy722]

They’re probably trying to avoid contaminating the sample within with metal that would be released if they stripped it or drilled it out.

 

[nate379]

Weld a nut to it

 

[Merek]

Easy out? I have an impact driver you smack it with a hammer and works great for removing those screws that hold the rotors on my Civic. I'm also a machinist by trade so I'm sure that even I could get them out.

 

[andyd]

Impact driver + BFH

EZPZ.

NASA, seriously? This isn’t rocket science. Oh, wait a minute…

View attachment 185522

Just re-watched Apollo 13,this is way lame

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Probably just buying time until the actors strike is over. They are having a hard time acting like these came from space

 

[Oro_O]

Just re-watched Apollo 13,this is way lame

Gene Kranz would’ve solved that with nothing more than a stern glare.

 

[MolaKule]

I wonder if the fasteners and lid ring are metallurgically compatible?

I hope they didn't weld themselves in the cold of space.

 

[TheLawnRanger]

They'll get it opened sooner or later.

 

[Lubener]

Someone shuttle a can of PB Blaster to them.

 

[samven]

Its always the last 2 maybe they should try putting the screws on either side of the stuck ones back in to see if it take the strain off them.

 

[Mainia]

https://www.boltdepot.com//Product-Details.aspx?product=14889

Come on NASA, no no.........., no "Philips" drive types, when you are "NASA" Step it up a bit.

 

[Carmudgeon]

At first, they look like Phillips screws, but upon closer inspection, they actually have a slight twist/offset to them, and oriented like you might see like on an anti-theft fastener to promote cam out when trying to loosen them.

If they can figure out how to fix the Hubble in orbit during a spacewalk (which did require some brute force), this shouldn't be a challenge.

 

[Merek]

They can just take a propane torch and heat around the edge of the hole and just use an impact driver to get them out.

 

[Astro14]

They can just take a propane torch and heat around the edge of the hole and just use an impact driver to get them out.

Except for the contamination of the sample.

Look, this is an asteroid sample. It’s in a sealed chamber to prevent even atmospheric contamination. Just like the moon rocks.

So, they’re not “hands on” with it.

Also, no solvents, no heat, no drilling or the hundreds of millions spent getting the sample is lost when the sample is contaminated.