The OSIRIS-REx mission is a NASA space mission that was launched on September 8, 2016, with the goal of studying and collecting a sample from an asteroid named Bennu. The mission is designed to help scientists better understand the early Solar System and the origins of life on Earth.
The name OSIRIS-REx stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, and Regolith Explorer. This complex mission is made up of several stages, each with its own challenges and objectives. The spacecraft is equipped with several scientific instruments, including a camera suite, a spectrometer, a laser altimeter, and a sample collection system.
After traveling through space for two years, OSIRIS-REx arrived at Bennu in December 2018. The spacecraft then began a detailed survey of the asteroid, mapping its surface, and studying its composition and physical properties. Scientists hope to learn more about the asteroid's history and formation, as well as its potential as a resource for future space exploration.
Bennu is a small, rocky asteroid that is about 490 meters (1,600 feet) in diameter. It is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO), which means that its orbit around the Sun brings it close to Earth. Bennu was chosen as the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission because it is rich in carbon and organic molecules, which are key building blocks of life.
The study of Bennu is also important for planetary defense. The asteroid has a low probability of impacting Earth in the late 22nd century, and the data collected by OSIRIS-REx will help scientists better understand the asteroid's orbit and predict its future trajectory. This information could be used to develop strategies for deflecting asteroids that pose a threat to Earth.
In October 2020, OSIRIS-REx made its closest approach to Bennu, and its sample collection system was deployed to collect a sample of regolith (loose rock and dust) from the asteroid's surface. The sample collection process was a complex and delicate operation, with the spacecraft using a robotic arm to touch the surface and collect material. The sample was stored in a special container on the spacecraft, and OSIRIS-REx is now on its way back to Earth, with the sample expected to arrive in September 2023.
The sample collected by OSIRIS-REx is expected to be between 60 grams and 2 kilograms (0.13 to 4.4 pounds), which is enough material for scientists to study in detail. Once the sample is returned to Earth, scientists will study it in a laboratory to learn more about the composition of Bennu and its potential as a resource. They will also be able to compare the sample to other meteorites and asteroid samples that have been collected in the past.
One of the key scientific objectives of the OSIRIS-REx mission is to study the organic molecules on Bennu. Organic molecules are the building blocks of life, and scientists believe that asteroids like Bennu may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth. The mission is also studying the asteroid's water content, which could help scientists better understand the distribution of water in the early Solar System.
Another important objective of the OSIRIS-REx mission is to study the geology of Bennu. The asteroid's surface is covered in boulders, which could be remnants of its early history. By studying the size, shape, and distribution of these boulders, scientists hope to learn more about the asteroid's formation and history. The mission is also studying the asteroid's interior structure, which could provide insights into how asteroids like Bennu are formed.
