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Why NASA retrieved samples from an asteroid

NASA is celebrating the successful end of a 7-year, $1 billion mission to collect and return a sample from the asteroid Bennu. CBS News' Mark Strassmann has more on the mission. And Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute, joined CBS News to discuss the significance of the samples.

NASA successfully retrieves asteroid material

A capsule containing rubble from an asteroid landed in the Utah desert Sunday. It may contain material leftover from the creation of the solar system, scientists say.

NASA spacecraft brings asteroid samples back to Earth

In a dramatic 13-minute plunge back to Earth, the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule safely landed in Utah after seven years in space.

NASA mission to asteroid returning to Earth

A small saucer-shape capsule carrying a half-pound of rocks and dust collected from an asteroid called Bennu is expected to slam into Earth's atmosphere at a blistering 27,650 mph on Sunday and then parachute down to the ground. NASA senior scientist Amy Simon joined CBS News to discuss the purpose and logistics of the mission.

NASA says asteroid samples will land on Earth Sunday after fiery descent

The OSIRIS-REx sample return in Utah will bring a seven-year, four-billion-mile journey to a close, providing insights into the birth of the solar system.

NASA image shows "unprecedented detail" of moon's south pole region

Two cameras working together helped NASA reveal details in "greater detail than previously possible."

Astronaut looks forward to home after record 371-day stay in space

Frank Rubio and two cosmonaut crewmates return to Earth next Wednesday to wrap up a U.S. record 371-day stay in orbit.

Video shows NASA spacecraft flying through powerful sun explosion

NASA called the Parker Solar Probe's flight "not only an impressive feat of engineering, but a huge boon for the scientific community."

Russia launches two cosmonauts, NASA astronaut to space station

The crew is replacing another Soyuz crew, including NASA's Frank Rubio, who's wrapping up a record 371-day stay in space.

Breaking down NASA's new UFO report

NASA released a new report on UFOs — also known as unidentified anomalous phenomena — on Thursday. The report examines how the space agency can better contribute to the scientific understanding of the objects. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood joins "Prime Time" to separate fact from science fiction.

Webb image shows newborn star's outflow moving at supersonic speeds

The image shows "luminous regions" around a newborn star in a strikingly high resolution.

Russia readies Soyuz for launch to ferry 3 to space station

Loral O'Hara will spend six months aboard the space station; two Russian crewmates plan to stay a full year.

Astronaut breaks U.S. record for time in space

Astronaut Frank Rubio, forced to spend an extra six months aboard the International Space Station because of trouble with his Russian ride home, set a new U.S. single-flight endurance record Monday, moving past Mark Vande Hei's 355 days off-planet. CBS News space analyst Bill Harwood has more on the record.

NASA astronaut sets new U.S. single-flight endurance record

Frank Rubio moved past NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei's 355-day record on the way to spending more than a full year in space.