> Sir Brian May, of Queen, has told Nasa TV he is “immensely proud” to be a team member of Osiris-Rex.
May was among those who helped to identify the location on Bennu where the samples would be collected.
Together with others working on the mission, May – who has a PhD in astrophysics – has co-authored book about asteroid Bennu, including stereoscopic (3-D) images.
“I can’t be with you today, I wish I could, I’m rehearsing for a Queen tour, but my heart is there with you as this precious sample is recovered,” he said. “Happy sample return day.”