Controllers had been trying to get an ice sample into TEGA for weeks but struggled with a scraper and rasp on the probe's robotic arm -- items designed to grind the ice for study -- Boynton said.

CNN: Lander grabs Mars water, will see if it's life-supporting

The probe will arrive at the asteroid in 2018, study it, then bring back the sample in 2023.

CNN: So, about that asteroid near Earth ...