Osiris-rex bennu asteroid

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collected samples from asteroid Bennu in 2020 and returned them to Earth in 2023, revealing clues about the Solar System's origin.

About this subject

The OSIRIS-REx mission (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) was launched on September 8, 2016, to study and collect samples from asteroid Bennu, a near-Earth carbon-rich body approximately 500 meters in diameter. Bennu is a B-type asteroid, believed to contain organic molecules and water-bearing minerals, offering clues about the early Solar System. This mission marks NASA's first asteroid sample return.

On October 20, 2020, the spacecraft performed the touch-and-go maneuver, briefly contacting Bennu's surface with the TAGSAM arm. Surprisingly, the surface was much looser and more porous than expected, causing the arm to sink deeper. The collected sample exceeded the 60-gram goal, estimated at around 250 grams.

After collection, OSIRIS-REx began its return journey in May 2021. The sample capsule landed in the Utah desert on September 24, 2023. Preliminary analyses reveal the presence of water (in hydrated minerals) and organic compounds such as carbon and nitrogen, key to understanding how life's building blocks formed on Earth.

Beyond science, the mission aids planetary defense. Bennu is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid, with a small impact probability in the 22nd century. Orbital and compositional data refine trajectory models and mitigation strategies. OSIRIS-REx demonstrated the feasibility of asteroid sample return, paving the way for future exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OSIRIS-REx stand for?

OSIRIS-REx stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, a NASA mission to study and collect samples from asteroid Bennu.

Why was asteroid Bennu chosen for this mission?

Bennu was chosen because it is a carbon-rich near-Earth asteroid that preserves primordial materials from the early Solar System. It is also classified as potentially hazardous, making its study important for planetary defense.

When did the OSIRIS-REx samples arrive on Earth?

The sample capsule landed in the Utah desert, United States, on September 24, 2023, after a round-trip journey of about 7 years.