OSIRIS-REx

OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) is a NASA asteroid-study and sample-return mission.[11] The mission's primary goal is to obtain a sample of at least 60 g (2.1 oz) from 101955 Bennu, a carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid, and return the sample to Earth for a detailed analysis. The material returned is expected to enable scientists to learn more about the formation and evolution of the Solar System, its initial stages of planet formation, and the source of organic compounds that led to the formation of life on Earth.[12]

OSIRIS-REx
Artist's rendering of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft
NamesOrigins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer;
New Frontiers 3
Mission typeAsteroid sample return [1]
OperatorNASA / Lockheed Martin
COSPAR ID2016-055A
SATCAT no.41757
Websiteasteroidmission.org
Mission duration7 years (planned)
               505 days at asteroid
4 years, 4 months, 27 days (elapsed)
               795 days at asteroid
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass2,110 kg (4,650 lb) [2]
Dry mass880 kg (1,940 lb)
Dimensions2.44 × 2.44 × 3.15 m (8 ft 0 in × 8 ft 0 in × 10 ft 4 in)
Power1226 to 3000 W
Start of mission
Launch date8 September 2016, 23:05 UTC [3]
RocketAtlas V 411 (AV-067)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-41
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
End of mission
Landing datePlanned: 24 September 2023, 15:00 (2023-09-24UTC16) UTC[4]
Landing siteUtah Test and Training Range [4]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemBennu-centric
Altitude0.68–2.1 km (0.42–1.30 mi) [5][6]
Period22–62 hours [7][6]
Flyby of Earth
Closest approach22 September 2017 [2][8]
Distance17,237 km (10,711 mi)
Bennu orbiter
Orbital insertion31 December 2018 [9]
(Rendezvous: 3 December 2018)
Orbital departure10 May 2021 (planned)[10]
Sample massBetween 60 g (2.1 oz) and 2,000 g (71 oz)

OSIRIS-REx mission logo
 

OSIRIS-REx was launched on 8 September 2016, flew past Earth on 22 September 2017, and rendezvoused with Bennu on 3 December 2018.[13] It spent the next several months analyzing the surface to find a suitable site from which to extract a sample. On 20 October 2020, OSIRIS-REx approached Bennu and successfully collected a sample.[14] Though some of the sample escaped when the flap that should have closed the sampler head was jammed open by larger rocks, NASA is confident that they were able to retain between 400 g and over a kg of sample material, well in excess of the 60 g (2.1 oz) minimum target mass.[15][16] OSIRIS-REx is expected to return with its sample to Earth on 24 September 2023.[17]

Bennu was chosen as the target of study because it is a "time capsule" from the birth of the Solar System.[18] Bennu has a very dark surface and is classified as a B-type asteroid, a sub-type of the carbonaceous C-type asteroids. Such asteroids are considered "primitive", having undergone little geological change from their time of formation. In particular, Bennu was selected because of the availability of pristine carbonaceous material, a key element in organic molecules necessary for life as well as representative of matter from before the formation of Earth. Organic molecules, such as amino acids, have previously been found in meteorite and comet samples, indicating that some ingredients necessary for life can be naturally synthesized in outer space.[1]

The cost of the mission is approximately US$800 million,[19] not including the Atlas V launch vehicle, which is about US$183.5 million.[20] It is the third planetary science mission selected in the New Frontiers program, after Juno and New Horizons. The principal investigator is Dante Lauretta from the University of Arizona. If successful, OSIRIS-REx will be the first United States spacecraft to return samples from an asteroid. The Japanese probe Hayabusa returned samples from 25143 Itokawa in 2010, and Hayabusa2 returned from 162173 Ryugu in December 2020.

Mission

Asteroid Bennu, imaged by the OSIRIS-REx probe, 3 December 2018

Overall management, engineering and navigation for the mission is provided by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, while the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory provides principal science operations and Lockheed Martin Space Systems built the spacecraft and provides mission operations.[2] The science team includes members from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, and Italy.[21]

After traveling for approximately two years, the spacecraft rendezvoused with asteroid 101955 Bennu in December 2018[22] and began 505 days of surface mapping at a distance of approximately 5 km (3.1 mi).[1] Results of that mapping were used by the mission team to select the site from which to take a sample of the asteroid's surface.[23] Then a close approach (without landing) was carried out to allow extension of a robotic arm to gather the sample.[24]

Following a collection of material (60 grams), the sample will be returned to Earth in a 46 kg (101 lb) capsule similar to that which returned the samples of a comet 81P/Wild on the Stardust spacecraft. The return trip to Earth will be shorter and the capsule will land with a parachute at the Utah Test and Training Range in September 2023 before being transported to the Johnson Space Center for processing in a dedicated research facility.[1]

Launch

OSIRIS-REx launch video
Animation of OSIRIS-REx's trajectory from 9 September 2016
  OSIRIS-REx ·   101955 Bennu ·   Earth
Animation of OSIRIS-REx's trajectory around 101955 Bennu from 25 December 2018
  OSIRIS-REx ·   101955 Bennu

The launch was on 8 September 2016 at 23:05 UTC on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 from Cape Canaveral, Space Launch Complex 41.[3] The 411 rocket configuration consists of a RD-180 powered first stage with a single AJ-60A solid fuel booster, and a Centaur upper stage.[25] OSIRIS-REx separated from the launch vehicle 55 minutes after ignition.[2] The launch was declared "exactly perfect" by the mission's principal investigator, with no anomalies worked before or during launch.[26]

Cruise

OSIRIS-REx entered the cruise phase shortly after separation from the launch vehicle, following successful solar panel deployment, propulsion system initiation, and establishment of a communication link with Earth.[26] Its hyperbolic escape speed from Earth was about 5.41 km/s (3.36 mi/s).[27] On 28 December 2016, the spacecraft successfully performed its first deep space maneuver to change its velocity by 431 m/s (1,550 km/h) using 354 kg (780 lb) of fuel.[28][29] An additional, smaller firing of its thrusters on 18 January 2017 further refined its course for an Earth gravity assist on 22 September 2017.[28] The cruise phase lasted until its encounter with Bennu in December 2018,[22] after which it entered its science and sample collection phase.[28]

During its cruise phase, OSIRIS-REx was used to search for a class of near-Earth objects known as Earth-Trojan asteroids as it passed through Sun–Earth L4 Lagrange point. Between 9 and 20 February 2017, the OSIRIS-REx team used the spacecraft's MapCam camera to search for the objects, taking about 135 survey images each day for processing by scientists at the University of Arizona. The search was beneficial even though no new trojans were found,[30] as it closely resembled the operation required as the spacecraft approached Bennu, searching for natural satellites and other potential hazards.[29][31] On 12 February 2017, while 673×10^6 km (418×10^6 mi) from Jupiter, the PolyCam instrument aboard OSIRIS-REx successfully imaged the giant planet and three of its moons, Callisto, Io, and Ganymede.[32]

OSIRIS-REx flew by Earth on 22 September 2017.[33]

Arrival and survey

On 3 December 2018, NASA affirmed that OSIRIS-REx had matched the speed and orbit of Bennu at a distance of about 19 km (12 mi), effectively reaching the asteroid. OSIRIS-REx performed closer passes of the Bennu surface, initially at about 6.5 km (4.0 mi) through December to further refine the shape and orbit of Bennu. Preliminary spectroscopic surveys of the asteroid's surface by OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, detected the presence of hydrated minerals in the form of clay. While researchers suspect that Bennu was too small to host water, the hydroxyl groups may have come from water presence in its parent body before Bennu split off.[34][35]

OSIRIS-REx entered orbit around Bennu on 31 December 2018 at about 1.75 km (1.09 mi) to start its extensive remote mapping and sensing campaign for the selection of a sample site. This is the closest distance that any spacecraft has orbited a celestial object, surpassing the Rosetta's orbit of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko at 7 km (4.3 mi).[13][36] At this altitude, it takes the spacecraft 62 hours to orbit Bennu.[37] At the end of this detailed survey, the spacecraft entered a closer orbit with a radius of 1 km (0.62 mi).[38]

Sample acquisition

Artist's concept of TAGSAM instrument in operation

Procedure

Rehearsals were performed before the sampling event, during which the solar arrays were to be raised into a Y-shaped configuration to minimize the chance of dust accumulation during contact and provide more ground clearance in case the spacecraft tips over (up to 45°) during contact.[21] The descent was very slow to minimize thruster firings prior to contact in order to reduce the likelihood of asteroid surface contamination by unreacted hydrazine propellant. Contact with the surface of Bennu was to be detected using accelerometers, and the impact force was meant to be dissipated by a spring in the TAGSAM arm.[39]

Upon surface contact by the TAGSAM instrument, a burst of nitrogen gas was released, which was meant to blow regolith particles smaller than 2 cm (0.8 in) into the sampler head at the end of the robotic arm. A five-second timer limited the collection time to mitigate the chance of a collision. After the timer expired, the back-away maneuver executed a safe departure from the asteroid.[21]

The plan was then for OSIRIS-REx to perform a braking maneuver a few days later to halt the drift away from the asteroid in case it was necessary to return for another sampling attempt. It would then take images of the TAGSAM head to verify a sample had been acquired. If a sample was acquired, the spacecraft would rotate about the short axis of the sample arm to determine sample mass by measuring moment of inertia and determine if it was in excess of the required 60 g (2.1 oz).

Both the braking and rotation maneuvers were canceled as images of the sample container clearly showed a large excess of material was collected, a portion of which was able to escape through the container's seal due to some material jamming the mechanism open. The collected material was scheduled for immediate storage in the Sample-Return Capsule.[40][21] On 28 October 2020, the sample collector head was secured in the return capsule. Following the severance of the head from the collector arm, the arm will then be retracted into its launch configuration, and the Sample-Return Capsule lid will be closed and latched preparing to return to Earth.[41][42]

In addition to the bulk sampling mechanism, contact pads on the end of the sampling head made of tiny stainless steel loops (Velcro)[43] passively collected dust grains smaller than 1 mm.

Operations

The final four candidate sample sites
The successful October 2020 sample collection, showing OSIRIS-REx touching down on the Nightingale sample site.
Images of the TAGSAM head showing that it is full of rocks and dust collected from Bennu and that it is leaking material into space.
OSIRIS-REx successfully stows its sample of asteroid Bennu in October 2020.

NASA selected the final four candidate sample sites in August 2019, named Nightingale, Kingfisher, Osprey, and Sandpiper.[44] On 12 December 2019, they announced that Nightingale had been selected as the primary sample site and Osprey was selected as the backup site.[45] Both located within craters, Nightingale is near Bennu's north pole while Osprey is near the equator.[46]

NASA's initial plans were to perform the first sampling in late August 2020;[47] NASA's originally planned Touch-and-Go (TAG) sample collection event was scheduled for 25 August 2020, but was rescheduled for 20 October 2020, at 22:13 UTC.[48][49] On 15 April 2020, the first sample collection rehearsal was successfully performed at the Nightingale sample site. The exercise took OSIRIS-REx as close as 65 m (213 ft) from the surface before performing a back-away burn.[50][51] A second rehearsal was successfully completed on 11 August 2020, bringing OSIRIS-REx down to 40 m (130 ft) from the surface. This was the final rehearsal before the sample collection scheduled to take place on 20 October 2020, at 22:13 UTC.[52][53]

On 20 October 2020 at 22:13 UTC, OSIRIS-REx successfully touched down on Bennu.[54] NASA confirmed via images taken during sampling that the sampler had made contact. The spacecraft touched down within 92 cm (36 in) of the target location.[55][56] After imaging the TAGSAM head, NASA concluded that there are rocks wedged in the mylar flap that is meant to keep the sample in, causing the sample to slowly escape into space.[57] In order to prevent further loss of the sample through the flaps, NASA canceled the previously-planned spinning maneuver to determine the mass of the sample as well as a navigational braking maneuver and decided to stow the sample on 27 October 2020 rather than 2 November 2020 as was originally planned, which was completed successfully. It was seen that the collector head hovering over the SRC after the TAGSAM arm moved it into the proper position for capture and later the collector head secured onto the capture ring in the Sample Return Capsule.[57]

When the head was seated into the Sample-Return Capsule's capture ring on 28 October 2020, the spacecraft performed a "backout check", which commanded the TAGSAM arm to back out of the capsule. This maneuver is designed to tug on the collector head and ensure that the latches – which keep the collector head in place – are well secured. Following the test, the mission team received telemetry confirming that the head is properly secured in the Sample-Return Capsule. Thereafter, on 28 October 2020, two mechanical parts on the TAGSAM arm must first be disconnected – these are the tube that carried the nitrogen gas to the TAGSAM head during sample collection and the TAGSAM arm itself. Over the next several hours, the mission team commanded the spacecraft to cut the tube that stirred up the sample through the TAGSAM head during sample collection, and separate the collector head from the TAGSAM arm. Once the team confirmed these activities were done, it commanded the spacecraft on 28 October 2020, to close and seal the Sample-Return Capsule, the final step of the sample stowage process of Bennu's samples.[58] To seal the SRC, the spacecraft closes the lid and then secures two internal latches. Additionally, on inspecting images, it was observed that a few particles had escaped from the collector head during the stowage procedure, but it was confirmed that no particles would hinder the stowage process, since the team was confident that a plentiful amount of material remains inside of the head, being more than the needed amount, 60 g (2.1 oz), that is, between 60 g (2.1 oz) and 2,000 g (71 oz). Now, the sample of Bennu is safely stored and ready for its journey to Earth. Now that the collector head is secure inside the SRC, pieces of the sample will no longer be lost.[59]

Sample return

Artist's rendition of the Sample Return Capsule returning to Earth in 2023.

The OSIRIS-REx team is now preparing the spacecraft for the next phase of the mission, the return cruise to Earth.[60][61] The departure window opens in March 2021 for OSIRIS-REx to begin its voyage home on 10 May 2021. On 24 September 2023, the OSIRIS-REx return capsule is scheduled to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and land under a parachute at the Air Force's Utah Test and Training Range.[62] The sample would be curated at NASA's Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate (ARES) and at Japan's Extraterrestrial Sample Curation Center.[62][63] The sample material from the asteroid would be distributed to requesting organisations worldwide by ARES.[64]

Name

OSIRIS-REx is an acronym, and each letter or combination of letters relates to part of the project:[65]

  • O – origins
  • SI – spectral interpretation
  • RI – resource identification
  • S – security
  • REx – regolith explorer

Each of these words was chosen to represent an aspect of this mission.[65] For example, the S, for security means the security of Earth from hazardous NEO.[65] Specifically it refers to better understanding the Yarkovsky effect, that changes the trajectory of the asteroid.[65] Regolith Explorer means that the mission will study the texture, morphology, geochemistry, and spectral properties of the regolith of asteroid Bennu.[65]

When its heritage concept was proposed in the Discovery Program in 2004, it was called only OSIRIS, with REx for "Regolith Explorer" used descriptively rather than as part of the name.[66] This mission is also sometimes called New Frontiers 3, for it being the third of the New Frontiers program missions.[66][67]

The acronym OSIRIS was chosen in reference to the ancient mythological Egyptian god Osiris, the underworld lord of the dead. He was classically depicted as a green-skinned man with a pharaoh's beard, partially mummy-wrapped at the legs and wearing a distinctive crown with two large ostrich feathers at either side.His name was chosen for this mission as asteroid Bennu is a threatening Earth impactor, with an estimated 1-in-1800 chance of hitting Earth in the year 2170. Rex means "king" in Latin.[68][69]

Science objectives

Sample Return Capsule as seen by StowCam
Sample Return Capsule Exploded View

The science objectives of the mission are:[70]

  1. Return and analyze a sample of pristine carbonaceous asteroid regolith in an amount sufficient to study the nature, history, and distribution of its constituent minerals and organic compounds.
  2. Map the global properties, chemistry, and mineralogy of a primitive carbonaceous asteroid to characterize its geologic and dynamic history and provide context for the returned samples.
  3. Document the texture, morphology, geochemistry, and spectral properties of the regolith at the sampling site in situ at scales down to millimeters.
  4. Measure the Yarkovsky effect (a thermal force on the object) on a potentially hazardous asteroid and constrain the asteroid properties that contribute to this effect.
  5. Characterize the integrated global properties of a primitive carbonaceous asteroid to allow for direct comparison with ground-based telescopic data of the entire asteroid population.

Telescopic observations have helped define the orbit of 101955 Bennu, a near-Earth object (NEO) with a mean diameter in the range of 480 to 511 m (1,575 to 1,677 ft).[71] It completes an orbit of the Sun every 436.604 days (1.2 years). This orbit takes it close to the Earth every six years. Although the orbit is reasonably well known, scientists continue to refine it. It is critical to know the orbit of Bennu because recent calculations produced a cumulative probability of 1 in 1410 (or 0.071%) of impact with Earth in the period 2169 to 2199.[72] One of the mission objectives is to refine understanding of non-gravitational effects (such as the Yarkovsky effect) on this orbit, and the implications of those effects for Bennu's collision probability. Knowing Bennu's physical properties will be critical for future scientists to understand when developing an asteroid impact avoidance mission.[73]

Specifications

3D model of OSIRIS-REx
OSIRIS-REx instrument deck
  • Dimensions: Length 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in), width 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in), height 3.15 m (10.3 ft)[2]
  • Width with solar arrays deployed: 6.17 m (20.2 ft)[2]
  • Power: Two solar arrays generate 1226 to 3000 watts, depending on the spacecraft's distance from the Sun. Energy is stored in Li-ion batteries.[2]
  • Propulsion system: Based on a hydrazine monopropellant system developed for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, carrying 1,230 kg (2,710 lb) of propellant and helium.[74]
  • The sample-return capsule will reenter the Earth's atmosphere for a parachute assisted landing. The capsule with encased samples will be retrieved from Earth's surface and studied, as was done with the Stardust mission.

Instruments

In addition to its telecommunication equipment, the spacecraft carries a suite of instruments to image and analyze the asteroid on many wavelengths,[75] and retrieve a physical sample to return to Earth. The Planetary Society coordinated a campaign to invite interested persons to have their names or artwork on the mission's spirit of exploration saved on a microchip now carried in the spacecraft.[76]

OCAMS

Imaging camera suite

The OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) consists of the PolyCam, the MapCam, and the SamCam.[75] Together, they acquire information on asteroid Bennu by providing global mapping, sample site reconnaissance and characterization, high-resolution imaging, and records of the sample acquisition.[77]

  • PolyCam, an 20 cm (7.9 in) telescope, acquired visible-light images with increasingly higher resolution on approach the asteroid and high-resolution surface images from orbit.
  • MapCam searches for satellites and outgassing plumes. It maps the asteroid in four blue, green, red and near infrared channels, and informs the model of Bennu's shape and provides high resolution imaging of the potential sample sites.
  • SamCam continuously documents the sample acquisitions.

OVIRS

OVIRS

The OSIRIS-REx Visible and IR Spectrometer (OVIRS) is a spectrometer which maps minerals and organic substances on the asteroid's surface.[75] It provides full-disc asteroid spectral data at 20 m resolution. It maps blue to near-infrared, 400–4300 nm, with a spectral resolution of 7.5–22 nm.[78] This data will be used in concert with OTES spectra to guide sample-site selection. The spectral ranges and resolving powers are sufficient to provide surface maps of carbonates, silicates, sulfates, oxides, adsorbed water and a wide range of organic compounds.

OTES

OTES

The OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) provides thermal emission spectral maps and local spectral information of candidate sample sites in the thermal infrared channel covering 4–50 µm, again to map mineral and organic substances.[75] The wavelength range, spectral resolution, and radiometric performance are sufficient to resolve and identify silicates, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates, oxides, and hydroxide minerals. OTES is also used to measure the total thermal emission from Bennu in support of the requirement to measure emitted radiation globally.

Based on the performance of Mini-TES in the dusty surface environment of Mars, OTES was designed to be resilient to extreme dust contamination on the optical elements.

REXIS

The Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (REXIS) will provide an X-ray spectroscopy map of Bennu to map element abundances.[75] REXIS is a collaborative development by four groups within Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, with the potential to involve more than 100 students throughout the process. REXIS is based on flight heritage hardware, thereby minimizing elements of technical risk, schedule risk, and cost risk.

REXIS is a coded aperture soft X-ray (0.3–7.5 keV) telescope that images X-ray fluorescence line emission produced by the absorption of solar X-rays and the solar wind with elements in the regolith of Bennu leading to local X-ray emissions. Images are formed with 21 arcminute resolution (4.3 m spatial resolution at a distance of 700 m). Imaging is achieved by correlating the detected X-ray image with a 64 x 64 element random mask (1.536 mm pixels). REXIS will store each X-ray event data in order to maximize the data storage usage and to minimize the risk. The pixels will be addressed in 64 x 64 bins and the 0.3–7.5 keV range will be covered by five broad bands and 11 narrow line bands. A 24 seconds resolution time tag will be interleaved with the event data to account for Bennu rotation. Images will be reconstructed on the ground after downlink of the event list. Images are formed simultaneously in 16 energy bands centered on the dominant lines of abundant surface elements from O-K (0.5 keV) to Fe-Kß (7 keV) as well the representative continuum. During orbital phase 5B, a 21-day orbit 700 m from the surface of Bennu, a total of at least 133 events/asteroid pixel/energy band are expected under 2 keV; enough to obtain significant constraints on element abundances at scales larger than 10 m.

On 11 November 2019, university students and researchers involved in the mission accidentally discovered X-ray burst from a black hole name MAXI J0637-430 locate 30,000 light-years away, during observing the asteroid with REXIS.[79]

OLA

The OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) is a scanning and lidar instrument that will provide high resolution topographical information throughout the mission.[75] The information received by OLA creates global topographic maps of Bennu, local maps of candidate sample sites, ranging in support of other instruments, and support navigation and gravity analyses.

OLA scans the surface of Bennu at specific intervals to rapidly map the entire surface of the asteroid to achieve its primary objective of producing local and global topographic maps. The data collected by OLA will also be used to develop a control network relative to the center of mass of the asteroid and to enhance and refine gravitational studies of Bennu.

OLA has a single common receiver and two complementary transmitter assemblies that enhance the resolution of the information brought back. OLA's high-energy laser transmitter is used for ranging and mapping from 1 to 7.5 km (0.62 to 4.66 mi). The low-energy transmitter is used for ranging and imaging from 0.5 to 1 km (0.31 to 0.62 mi). The repetition rate of these transmitters sets the data acquisition rate of OLA. Laser pulses from both the low and high energy transmitters are directed onto a movable scanning mirror, which is co-aligned with the field of view of the receiver telescope limiting the effects of background solar radiation. Each pulse provides target range, azimuth, elevation, received intensity and a time-tag.

OLA was funded by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and was built by MDA at Brampton, Ontario, Canada.[80] OLA was delivered for integration with the spacecraft on 17 November 2015.[81] The lead instrument scientist of OLA is Michael Daly from York University.[82]

TAGSAM

TAGSAM arm test before launch

The sample-return system, called Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), consists of a sampler head with an articulated 3.35 m (11.0 ft) arm.[2][75] An on-board nitrogen source will support up to three separate sampling attempts for a minimum total amount of 60 g (2.1 oz) of sample. The surface contact pads will also collect fine-grained material.

Highlights of the TAGSAM instrument and technique include:

  • Relative approach velocity of 10 cm/s (3.9 in/s)[83]
  • Contact within 25 m (82 ft) of selected location
  • OCAMS documents sampling at 1 Hz
  • Collect samples in less than five seconds, direct nitrogen (N2) annular jet fluidizes regolith, surface-contact pad captures surface sample
  • Verify bulk sample collection via spacecraft inertia change; surface sample by imaging sampler head
  • Sampler head stored in sample-return capsule and returned to Earth

Cooperation with JAXA

Hayabusa2 is a similar mission from JAXA to collect samples from near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu. It arrived at the asteroid in June 2018, left in November 2019 after two successful sample collections, and returned to Earth in December 2020. The recovery capsule of Hayabusa2 re-entered Earth atmosphere and landed in Australia, as planned, on 5 December 2020. The sample contents will be extensively analyzed, including water content which will provide clues on the initial formation of the asteroid. The main module of Hayabusa2 is performing a swing-by procedure to "push" it onward to its next destination, asteroid 1998KY26. Due to the similarity and overlapping timelines of the two missions (OSIRIS-REx is still in the return phase), NASA and JAXA signed an agreement to collaborate on sample exchange and research.[84][85] The two teams visited each other, with representatives from JAXA visiting the OSIRIS-REx Science Operations Center at the University of Arizona, and members of the OSIRIS-REx team traveling to Japan to meet with the Hayabusa2 team.[86][87] The teams are sharing software, data, and techniques for analysis, and will eventually exchange portions of the samples that are returned to Earth.[88][89]

OSIRIS-REx II

OSIRIS-REx II was a 2012 mission concept to replicate the original spacecraft for a double mission, with the second vehicle collecting samples from the two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos. It was stated that this mission would be both the quickest and least expensive way to get samples from the moons.[90][91]

Views from OSIRIS REx
Earth–Moon system during an engineering test (January 2018).
First images of asteroid Bennu (August 2018).
Asteroid Bennu from 330 km (210 mi) away (29 October 2018).
Earth-Moon (lower left) and asteroid Bennu (upper right) (December 2018).[92]
The Sample Return Capsule (SRC) with asteroid Bennu in the background (December 2019).

See also

  • Asteroidal water  Water and its precursors in asteroids
  • List of asteroids visited by spacecraft

References

  1. Brown, Dwayne C. (25 May 2011). "NASA To Launch New Science Mission To Asteroid In 2016". NASA. Retrieved 18 September 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "OSIRIS-REx: Asteroid Sample Return Mission" (PDF) (Press Kit). NASA. August 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. Graham, William (8 September 2016). "Atlas V begins OSIRIS-REx's round trip to the asteroid Bennu". NASASpaceflight. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  4. Ray, Justin (9 September 2016). "OSIRIS-REx probe launched to asteroid in compelling search for the origins of life". Astronomy Now. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  5. "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission Breaks Another Orbit Record". asteroidmission.org. NASA. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. "Mission Update February 25, 2019". asteroidmission.org. NASA. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. "Mission Update August 12, 2019". asteroidmission.org. NASA. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. "NASA'S OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Slingshots Past Earth". NASA. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. "NASA'S OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Arrives at Asteroid Bennu". NASA. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission Plans for May Asteroid Departure". NASA. 27 January 2021.
  11. "OSIRIS-REx Mission Selected for Concept Development". NASA. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. Chang, Kenneth (3 December 2018). "NASA's Osiris-Rex Arrives at Asteroid Bennu After a Two-Year Journey". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  13. Chang, Kenneth (20 October 2020). "Seeking Solar System's Secrets, NASA's OSIRIS-REX Mission Touches Bennu Asteroid - The spacecraft attempted to suck up rocks and dirt from the asteroid, which could aid humanity's ability to divert one that might slam into Earth". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  14. Greshko, Michael (29 October 2020). "NASA's OSIRIS-REx secures asteroid sample after surprise leak: The spacecraft grabbed so much of the asteroid Bennu, its sample-collection device got jammed. Now the material is safe and sound.". National Geographic. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  15. Wall, Mike (31 October 2020). "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Probe Successfully Stows Space-Rock Sample: The spacecraft will deliver the pristine material from asteroid Bennu back to Earth in 2023". Scientific American. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  16. "OSIRIS-REx Factsheet" (PDF). Explorers and Heliophysics Projects Division. NASA. August 2011. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  17. Wall, Mike (8 September 2016). "Next Stop, Bennu! NASA Launches Bold Asteroid-Sampling Mission". Space.com.
  18. "NASA Aims to Grab Asteroid Dust in 2020". Science Magazine. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 29 May 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  19. Buck, Joshua; Diller, George (5 August 2013). "NASA Selects Launch Services Contract for OSIRIS-REx Mission". NASA. Retrieved 8 September 2013. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  20. Kramer, Herbert J. "OSIRIS-REx". Earth Observation Portal Directory. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  21. Hille, Karl (9 January 2018). "NASA Selects Participating Scientists for Mission to Asteroid Bennu". NASA. Retrieved 2 February 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  22. "NASA Successfully Launch OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Mission". borntoengineer.com. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  23. "UA gets US$1.2 million to aid in asteroid mission". Tucson Citizen. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  24. Graham, William (8 September 2016). "Atlas V begins OSIRIS-REx's round trip to the asteroid Bennu". NASASpaceFlight.com.
  25. Wall, Mike. "'Exactly Perfect'! NASA Hails Asteroid Sample-Return Mission's Launch". Space.com. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  26. "OSIRIS-REx Mission & Trajectory Design". spaceflight101.com. September 2016.
  27. Neal-Jones, Nancy (17 January 2017). "Successful Deep Space Maneuver for NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft". NASA. Retrieved 7 March 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  28. Clark, Stephen (1 February 2017). "NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe moonlights as asteroid sleuth". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  29. "OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Search Tests Instruments". NASA. Retrieved 20 December 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  30. Morton, Erin; Neal-Jones, Nancy (9 February 2017). "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Begins Earth-Trojan Asteroid Search". NASA. Retrieved 9 March 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  31. "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Takes Closer Image of Jupiter". NASA. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  32. Hille, Karl (22 September 2017). "NASA'S OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Slingshots Past Earth". NASA. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  33. "NASA's Newly Arrived OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Already Discovers Water on Asteroid". NASA. 11 December 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  34. "Water found on asteroid, confirming Bennu as excellent mission target". Science Daily. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  35. Morten, Eric (31 December 2018). "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Enters Close Orbit Around Bennu, Breaking Record". NASA. Retrieved 1 January 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  36. NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Enters Close Orbit Around Bennu, Breaking Record. Lonnie Shekhtman, OSIRIS-Rex Mission home page, 31 December 2018 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  37. Orbital B Phase. Osiris-Rex. Accessed on 22 March 2018 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  38. OrbitalHub. "OrbitalHub". Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  39. Hautaluoma, Grey; Johnson, Alana; Neal Jones, Nancy; Morton, Erin. "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Collects Significant Amount of Asteroid". nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 24 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  40. "Sample-Return Capsule". Spaceflight101.com. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  41. Karl Hille. "OSIRIS-REx In the Midst of Sample Stowage". nasa.gov. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  42. Lauretta, Dante (5 February 2014). "How Do We know When We Have Collected a Sample of Bennu?". dslauretta.com. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  43. "NASA Mission Selects Final Four Site Candidates for Asteroid Sample Return" (Press release). NASA. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  44. "X Marks the Spot: Sample Site Nightingale Targeted for Touchdown" (Press release). AsteroidMission. NASA. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  45. "Twelve features on asteroid Bennu get official names". spaceflightinsider.com. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  46. Gough, Evan (9 March 2020). "OSIRIS-REx did its Closest Flyover Yet, just 250 Meters Above its Sample Site". Universe Today. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  47. Enos, Brittany (21 May 2020). "NASA's OSIRIS-REx ready for touchdown on asteroid Bennu". NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved 21 May 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  48. "WATCH: OSIRIS-REx Sample Collection Activities - OSIRIS-REx Mission". asteroidmission.org. NASA. Retrieved 16 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  49. Morton, Erin (16 April 2020). "One step closer to touching asteroid Bennu". phys.org. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  50. "OSIRIS-REx Buzzes Sample Site Nightingale". asteroidmission.org. NASA. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  51. "OSIRIS-REx Cruises Over Site Nightingale During Final Dress Rehearsal". asteroidmission.org. NASA. Retrieved 13 August 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  52. "WATCH: OSIRIS-REx Sample Collection Activities - OSIRIS-REx Mission". asteroidmission.org. NASA. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  53. Potter, Sean (20 October 2020). "NASA's OSIRIS-REX Spacecraft Successfully Touches Asteroid". NASA. Retrieved 21 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  54. "OSIRIS-REx TAGS Asteroid Bennu". asteroidmission.org. NASA. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  55. "Touching the Asteroid" (video, 54:03 minutes), Nova on PBS, 21 October 2020, Retrieved on 22 October 2020
  56. "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Collects Significant Amount of Asteroid". nasa.gov. NASA. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  57. "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Stowing Samples". asteroidmission.org. NASA. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  58. "NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Samples stowing process completed". asteroidmission.org. NASA. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  59. Hautaluoma, Grey; Johnson, Alana; Jones, Nancy Neal; Morton, Erin (29 October 2020). "Release 20-109 - NASA's OSIRIS-REx Successfully Stows Sample of Asteroid Bennu". NASA. Retrieved 30 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  60. Chang, Kenneth (29 October 2020). "NASA's Asteroid Mission Packs Away Its Cargo. Next Stop: Earth - The OSIRIS-REX spacecraft stowed the rock and dust it collected from Bennu, setting itself up to return the sample to our planet". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  61. Davis, Jason (5 July 2018). "What's the benefit of sample return?". The Planetary Society. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  62. "OSIRIS-REx Project". JAXA/Astromaterial Science Research Group. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  63. "OSIRIS-REx". NASA/Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Directorate. Retrieved 2 September 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  64. Lauretta, Dante. "Asteroid Sample Return Mission OSIRIS – OSIRIS Regolith Explorer (REx)" (PDF). European Space Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  65. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  66. Wolchover, Natalie (27 May 2011). "NASAcronyms: How OSIRIS-REx Got Its Name". LiveScience. Retrieved 12 May 2015. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  67. Moskowitz, Clara (27 May 2011). "Why NASA Chose Potentially Threatening Asteroid for New Mission". Space.com. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  68. OSIRIS-Rex Infosheet Archived 17 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine (PDF)
  69. Müller, T. G.; O'Rourke, L.; Barucci, A. M.; Pál, A.; Kiss, C.; Zeidler, P.; Altieri, B.; González-García, B. M.; Küppers, M. (December 2012). "Physical properties of OSIRIS-REx target asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36. Derived from Herschel, VLT/ VISIR, and Spitzer observations". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 548. A36. arXiv:1210.5370. Bibcode:2012A&A...548A..36M. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201220066. S2CID 55689658.
  70. "Earth Impact Risk Summary for 101955 Bennu". Near Earth Object Program. NASA. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2013. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  71. "OSIRIS-REx - The Mission". asteroidmission.org. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  72. Lauretta, Dante (16 December 2014). "Integration of the OSIRIS-REx Main Propellant Tank". Dslauretta.com. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  73. "Instruments: Science Payload". University of Arizona. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  74. Lauretta, Dante (11 January 2014). "OCAMS – The Eyes of OSIRIS-REx". Dslauretta.com. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  75. Simon-Miller, A. A.; Reuter, D. C. (2013). OSIRIS-REx OVIRS: A Scalable Visible to Near-IR Spectrometer for Planetary Study (PDF). 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. 18–22 March 2013. The Woodlands, Texas. Bibcode:2013LPI....44.1100S.
  76. "OSIRIS-REx Observes a Black Hole". NASA Goddard. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  77. "OLA, Canada's Contribution to OSIRIS-REx". Canadian Space Agency. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  78. "Canada's role in OSIRIS-REx". asc-csa.gc.ca. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  79. Lauretta, Dante (27 November 2013). "How To Get To Bennu and Back". Dslauretta.com. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  80. Clark, Stephen (15 December 2014). "NASA, JAXA reach asteroid sample-sharing agreement". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  81. Nakamura-Messenger, Keiko; Righter, Kevin; Snead, Christopher; McCubbin, Francis; Pace, Lisa; Zeigler, Ryan; Evans, Cindy (2017). "NASA, Curation Preparation for Ryugu Sample Returned by JAXA's Hayabusa2 Mission" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 12 February 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  82. "Mission Update Apr. 22, 2019". AsteroidMission.org. NASA. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  83. "This week we're hosting Science Team Meeting 12 at @uarizona. More than 100 members of @nasa's OSIRIS-REx team and @jaxajp's Hayabusa2 team are gathered in Tucson to exchange information, share ideas and plan ways the two #asteroid-bound missions can collaborate. #science". instagram.com. OSIRIS-REx. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  84. Hoekenga, Christine (22 June 2018). "Two Pieces of a Cosmic Puzzle: Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx". asteroidmission.org. NASA. Retrieved 12 February 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  85. Lauretta, Dante (20 October 2014). "Collaboration Between OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2". The Planetary Society. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  86. Elifritz, T. L. (2012). OSIRIS-REx II to Mars - Mars Sample Return from Phobos and Deimos (PDF). Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration. 12–14 June 2012. Houston, Texas. Bibcode:2012LPICo1679.4017E.
  87. Templeton, Graham (31 May 2016). "OSIRIS-REx is about to go collect (and return) samples from an asteroid". ExtremeTech. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  88. Dunn, Marcia (8 January 2019). "Asteroid-circling spacecraft grabs cool snapshot of home width2=200". AP News. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.