osiris-rex stuff

OSIRIS-REx

NASA spacecraft mission to study and return a sample from asteroid Bennu

Launch date

September 8

Main goal

Collect and return a sample from Bennu to study its composition and history

Arrival at Bennu

December 3

Sample collected

Approximately 250 grams (8.8 ounces) in October 2020

Sample return to Earth

September 24

Post-sample mission

Continues as OSIRIS-APEX to study asteroid Apophis

Asteroid Bennu

A carbon-rich near-Earth asteroid that may contain organic compounds and water-bearing minerals

Sample collection method

TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) used compressed nitrogen gas to stir up and collect material

Importance of mission

Helps scientists understand the early solar system and assess asteroid impact risks

Mission cost

Approximately $1.16 billion

Spacecraft dimensions

About 2.4 meters (8 feet) in diameter with solar arrays extending up to 6.2 meters (20.25 feet)

Instruments onboard

Cameras

OSIRIS-APEX target

Asteroid Apophis