How Queen Guitarist Brian May Helped NASA Succeed in Its Asteroid-Sampling Mission

Renowned as a guitar virtuoso and the legendary guitarist of the iconic rock band Queen, Brian May’s talents extend far beyond the world of music. In a fascinating new book, it is revealed that this rockstar also played a pivotal role in helping NASA achieve success in its ambitious asteroid-sampling mission with OSIRIS-REx.

Brian May, the legendary guitarist of the rock band Queen, is also a respected astrophysicist. In 2019, he joined the team of scientists working on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, which successfully collected a sample from the asteroid Bennu in 2020. May’s expertise in stereoscopic imaging helped the team to select the best landing site for the sample collection, and his work was essential to the success of the mission.

• Brian May – A Multifaceted Genius

Beyond his electrifying performances on stage, Brian May is a multifaceted genius. Apart from being an accomplished musician, he is an astrophysicist with a passion for space exploration and celestial wonders.

• An Unexpected Collaboration

In an unexpected turn of events, Brian May collaborated with the team at NASA working on the OSIRIS-REx mission. His astute insights and scientific expertise brought a fresh perspective to the project, adding immense value to the mission’s success.

• OSIRIS-REx – A Bold Mission

Launched in 2016, OSIRIS-REx embarked on a daring quest to study and collect samples from the asteroid Bennu, a primitive body that could provide critical insights into the origins of our solar system and life on Earth.

• The Book Unveils Secrets

The new book, with Brian May’s contributions, sheds light on the mission’s challenges, triumphs, and the scientific discoveries that followed. It offers readers an inside look into the complexity of space missions and the dedication of the teams involved.

• Passion for Astrophysics

Brian May’s passion for astrophysics has been evident throughout his life. He earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics in the 1970s but later set it aside to pursue a successful music career. However, his love for the cosmos never waned.

• A True Space Enthusiast

As a true space enthusiast, Brian May co-founded the London Stereoscopic Company, which focuses on publishing rare Victorian stereoscopic images of space and celestial phenomena.

• A Fusion of Art and Science

Brian May’s unique blend of artistry and scientific knowledge bridges the gap between the worlds of music and space exploration. His journey from rockstar to astrophysicist is a testament to the limitless potential of human creativity and curiosity.

                                                                    The OSIRIS-REx mission was a complex undertaking, and the team faced a number of challenges. One of the biggest challenges was selecting the best landing site on Bennu. The asteroid is covered in boulders and other debris, and the team needed to find a site that was large enough for the spacecraft to land safely, but also free of obstacles that could damage the sample collection mechanism.

May’s expertise in stereoscopic imaging helped the team to overcome this challenge. He used his knowledge of computer vision to create 3D models of Bennu’s surface. These models allowed the team to see the asteroid in three dimensions, which made it easier to identify safe landing sites.

In addition to helping to select the landing site, May also played a role in the design of the sample collection mechanism. He worked with the engineers to ensure that the mechanism was able to collect a representative sample of Bennu’s surface material.

                                                              Brian May’s involvement in NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission exemplifies the power of collaboration and the impact of passion-driven contributions. The new book unveils the fascinating tale of how a legendary guitarist played a key role in a groundbreaking space mission. It serves as an inspiration to the world, reminding us that the pursuit of knowledge knows no boundaries, whether in music or in exploring the vastness of our universe. May’s contributions to the OSIRIS-REx mission were essential to its success. His expertise in stereoscopic imaging and his knowledge of computer vision helped the team to select a safe landing site and design a successful sample collection mechanism. The mission was a major scientific achievement, and May’s work played a vital role in its success.