Brian May helped send back NASA’s first asteroid sample

(CNN) — Brian May proves once again why he is rock royalty. He is not only Queen’s guitarist, but also recently an astrophysicist Helped by NASA To bring its first asteroid sample back to Earth from space.

May said she was “extremely proud” to be part of the team that collected the sample from the asteroid Bennu.

“Hello NASA people, space fans, asteroid fans. “This is Queen’s Brian May, you know, but I’m very proud to be a member of the OSIRIS-REx team,” the 76-year-old musician said in a clip broadcast on NASA TV this Sunday.

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft flew close to Earth on Sunday, seven years after it was launched into space to collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Collected the sample from the asteroid Over 4.5 billion years Before beginning its journey to Earth in 2020, specifically Utah, in 2021.

May played a key role in this mission. Creating stereoscopic images From spacecraft data that allowed mission leader Dante Lauretta and crew to find a safe place to land and collect the sample.

In the clip, May apologized for not being with the team on the big occasion.

“I’m rehearsing for a tour with the Queen, but my heart goes out to you until this precious specimen is recovered,” he explained.

“Happy Sample Return Day and to all who are working so hard in this mission, especially my dear friend Dante. God bless you all,” he added.

After leaving the sample capsule in Utah, OSIRIS-REx continues its journey to study another asteroid called Apophis, the space agency said.