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Bennu’s selection as the target asteroid was strategic. Its characteristics make it an ideal candidate for research into planetary defense, resource utilization, and planetary science. Bennu is a carbonaceous, primitive asteroid from the early days of our solar system, offering a deep dive into the conditions of that era. The asteroid's dark surface, reflecting merely 4% of incident light, indicates a composition rich in carbon and organic molecules—crucial clues for understanding the origin of life.