Osiris-rex bennu asteroid

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collected samples from asteroid Bennu, a carbon-rich celestial body that may hold clues about the origin of life.

About this subject

The OSIRIS-REx mission (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) was launched on September 8, 2016, with the goal of studying and collecting material from asteroid Bennu, a near-Earth object classified as potentially hazardous. Bennu is a B-type asteroid, rich in carbon and organic compounds, orbiting the Sun every 1.2 years and approaching Earth every 6 years. It is believed to be a fragment of a larger body formed in the first few million years of the Solar System, preserving primordial materials.

After a two-year journey, OSIRIS-REx arrived at Bennu in December 2018 and spent over two years mapping its rugged surface, covered with boulders and craters. In October 2020, the spacecraft performed the Touch-and-Go (TAG) sample collection maneuver, descending to the surface and using a robotic arm to capture about 250 grams of regolith. The sample was sealed in a capsule and is being returned to Earth, with a planned landing in the Utah desert in September 2023.

Bennu is about 500 meters in diameter and resembles a spinning top. Studies reveal it is a rubble pile with low density and high porosity, making it a fascinating scientific target. The asteroid also showed unexpected phenomena, such as particle ejection from its surface, first observed by the spacecraft. Analysis of the samples may help understand the composition of primitive asteroids, the formation of the Solar System, and how organic molecules might have contributed to the origin of life on Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OSIRIS-REx mission?

OSIRIS-REx is a NASA spacecraft that visited asteroid Bennu to collect samples and study its composition. It is the first US mission to bring back samples from an asteroid.

Why is asteroid Bennu important?

Bennu is a primitive asteroid rich in carbon and organic molecules. Studying it can reveal information about the formation of the Solar System and the origin of compounds that may have led to life on Earth.

Has the Bennu sample arrived on Earth yet?

Yes, the sample capsule landed in the Utah desert on September 24, 2023. The samples are now being analyzed by laboratories worldwide.