Osiris-rex bennu asteroid

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission collected samples from asteroid Bennu, providing clues about the formation of the Solar System and the building blocks of life.

About this subject

Launched in 2016, the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft was NASA's first mission to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid, Bennu. Bennu is a carbonaceous B-type asteroid about 500 meters in diameter, orbiting the Sun every 1.2 years. It is considered both a potentially hazardous object and a primordial remnant of the early Solar System, rich in organic compounds and hydrated minerals.

The mission reached Bennu in 2018, mapped its surface, and selected a sampling site. In October 2020, the TAGSAM robotic arm touched the surface and collected approximately 250 grams of regolith. The samples were returned to Earth in September 2023, landing in the Utah desert. Scientists worldwide are now analyzing these fragments to understand the asteroid's composition and the evolution of the solar system.

Bennu is notable for its spinning top shape and the unexpected emission of particle plumes from its surface. Studying Bennu helps refine orbital models of asteroids and may provide insights into how water and organic materials arrived on early Earth. The mission also tested autonomous navigation and material collection technologies in microgravity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes asteroid Bennu special?

Bennu is a primitive carbonaceous asteroid rich in organic compounds and water, which may contain clues about the origin of life on Earth. Its potential impact risk also makes it important for planetary defense.

How did OSIRIS-REx collect the samples?

The spacecraft used the TAGSAM mechanism, a robotic arm that touched Bennu's surface and released nitrogen gas to stir up regolith, capturing particles in a collector head.

What were the main results of the mission?

Besides sample collection, the mission mapped Bennu's surface in detail, observed particle plumes, and provided data on mineral composition, helping to understand the formation of the Solar System.