NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is currently en route to Earth after successfully collecting precious samples from the asteroid Bennu during its mission in 2020. These invaluable samples are anticipated to reach Earth when the spacecraft returns on September 24, 2023
OSIRIS-REx, launched on September 8, 2016, marked the third significant planetary science expedition under NASA's New Frontiers Program, following the launch of New Horizons in 2006 and Juno in 2011. The acronym OSIRIS-REx stands for "Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer." The mission's primary objective was to procure a sample from the near-Earth asteroid 101955 Bennu (previously known as 1999 RQ36), weighing at least 2.1 ounces (59.5 grams), and return this sample to Earth
This mission, developed by a team of scientists primarily based at the University of Arizona, holds the promise of shedding light on the formation of the early solar system and the origins of life. Additionally, it was supposed to contribute to our understanding of asteroids that may pose potential impact threats to Earth in the future
OSIRIS-REx embarked on its journey on September 8, 2016, lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Approximately 55 minutes after launch, and following a boost from the Centaur upper stage, the spacecraft separated from its Atlas V rocket and deployed its solar arrays. By September 9, 2016, the spacecraft had crossed the Moon's orbital path, positioned at a distance of about 240,200 miles (386,500 kilometers). Three days later, it entered an orbit around the Sun. On September 19, 2016, the mission team initiated the operation of all scientific instruments onboard
OSIRIS-REx's initial glimpse of Bennu occurred in August 2018, when it transmitted a grainy image from a distance of about 1.4 million miles (2.3 million kilometers). In early November 2018, the spacecraft sent back detailed images that revealed the asteroid's shape and certain surface features
Upon reaching Bennu on December 3, 2018, OSIRIS-REx conducted thorough mapping of the asteroid while the mission team diligently scoured for a secure location to collect a sample. An exceptional challenge emerged due to Bennu's rugged surface, characterized by perilous boulders
After a year of deliberation, the mission team ultimately chose a sample site referred to as "Nightingale," nestled within a northern crater measuring 460 feet (140 meters) wide. This particular crater is believed to be relatively young, with freshly exposed regolith (rocks and dust), making it a prime candidate for obtaining a pristine sample of the asteroid, thereby offering valuable insights into Bennu's history
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft measures 20.25 feet (6.2 meters) in length with deployed solar panels and has a width and height of 8 feet (2.4 meters) and 10.33 feet (3.2 meters), respectively. It features a TAGSAM with an 11-foot (3.4 meters) length and a 12-inch (30.5 centimetres) diameter head. The spacecraft weighs 1,940 pounds (880 kilograms) without fuel and 4,650 pounds (2,110 kilograms) when fuelled. Its two solar panels generate between 1,226 and 3,000 watts of power based on its distance from the Sun. Equipped with five science instruments, TAGSAM, and the Sample Return Capsule (SRC), it can collect data, gather a sample, and safely bring it back to Earth
OSIRIS-REx discovered that asteroid Bennu will make a close flyby of Earth on September 25, 2135. During this encounter, Earth's gravitational pull will influence Bennu's trajectory, making it challenging to precisely predict its future path. According to NASA, there exists an exceedingly small probability that Bennu might traverse a "gravitational keyhole" during this pass—a region in space that could potentially steer it towards a collision with Earth in the late 22nd century
During its return to Earth the capsule housing fragments of Bennu will detach from the remainder of the spacecraft and descend through Earth's atmosphere. This capsule will make use of parachutes to safely land at the Utah Test and Training Range, located in Utah's West Desert, where a team of scientists will be on standby to recover it