OSIRIS-REx Approach Media Telecon

This visualization depicts the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft’s trajectory around the asteroid Bennu from the initial arrival in Dec 2018 through the final departure in April 2021. The trajectory is presented in a Sun Bennu North reference frame. Several mission segments are highlighted in white, leading up to the TAG sample collection maneuver on Oct 20, 2020. This is a single layer of the Web Around Bennu visualization that includes just the asteroid and the orbit lines with a transparent background. This is a single layer of the Web Around Bennu visualization that includes just the star background This is a single layer of the Web Around Bennu visualization that includes just dates The Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft arrived at near-Earth asteroid Bennu in December 2018. After studying the asteroid for nearly two years, the spacecraft successfully performed a Touch-And-Go (TAG) sample collection maneuver on October 20, 2020. The spacecraft will remain in asteroid Bennu’s vicinity until May 10, when the mission will enter its Return Cruise phase and begin its two-year journey back to Earth. This data visualization presents the mission’s complete trajectory during its time at Bennu. Related pages

Download recorded audio from this media teleconference. (Right-click and select "Save Link As...").NASA is hosting a media teleconference at 3 p.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 24, to provide an update on the agency’s first attempt to contact the surface of asteroid Bennu and collect a sample next month.The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft will travel to the asteroid’s surface during its first sample collection attempt Oct. 20. Its sampling mechanism will touch Bennu’s surface for several seconds, fire a charge of pressurized nitrogen to disturb the surface, and collect a sample before the spacecraft backs away.Participating in this mission update are:•Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate•Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division•Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson•Mike Moreau, OSIRIS-REx deputy project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center•Sandra Freund, OSIRIS-REx mission operations manager at Lockheed Martin SpaceFor more information, go to nasa.gov/osiris-rex or asteroidmission.org. Trailer for the OSIRIS-REx TAG EventUniversal Production Music: "The Glory of Victory" by Frederik WiedmannCredit: NASA/Goddard 1. Zurbuchen - OSIRIS-REx OverviewTop Left: OSIRIS-REx Launching from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket on September 8, 2016 at 7:05 pm EDT.Top Right: Image of Bennu was taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.Center: Image of sample site Nightingale Crater, OSIRIS-REx’s primary sample collection site on asteroid Bennu, overlaid with a graphic of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to illustrate the scale of the site.Bottom Left: Image of OSIRIS-REx’s SamCam imager’s field of view as the NASA spacecraft approaches asteroid Bennu’s surface, taking during the second dress rehearsal for sample collection on August 11, 2020.Bottom Center: Illustration of trajectory and configuration of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft during Checkpoint rehearsal, which was the first time the mission practiced the initial steps of collecting a sample from asteroid Bennu.Bottom Right: Image of Sierra Gonzalez, Lockheed Martin Systems Engineer, taken April 14, 2020 during the four-hour rehearsal of the Checkpoint maneuver in which OSIRIS-REx came within 125 meters (410 feet) of Bennu’s surface.Credits: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/ Lockheed Martin/United Launch Alliance 1. Glaze - Asteroid missions and sample returnTop Left: Apollo sample processors (from left to right) Andrea Mosie, Charis Krysher and Juliane Gross open lunar sample 73002 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Moon rocks inside this tube have remained untouched since they were collected on the surface and brought to Earth by Apollo astronauts nearly 50 years ago.Top Right: Scientist-astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt, Apollo 17 lunar module pilot, collects lunar rake samples at Station 1 during the mission's first spacewalk at the Taurus-Littrow landing site.Center: Illustration showing NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft descending towards asteroid Bennu to collect a sample of the asteroid’s surface.Bottom Left: Illustration of NASA’s DART spacecraft prior to impact at the Didymos binary system.Bottom Center: Illustration of NASA’s Lucy spacecraft performing a flyby of a Jupiter Trojan.Bottom Right: Illustration of NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft with Five-Panel Array.Credits: NASA/Goddard/JPL-Caltech / Arizona State University/University of Arizona/Johns Hopkins APL/Space Systems Loral/James Blair/Steve Gribben/Peter Rubin 1. Lauretta - OSIRIS-REx AcronymCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 2. Lauretta - Asteroid 101955 Bennu rotatingThis rotating mosaic of asteroid Bennu is composed of 40 images captured by the PolyCam imager onboard NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft over a four-hour period on December 2, 2018. During the observation period, the spacecraft’s range to the center of the asteroid decreased from about 15.3 to 14.6 miles (24.6 to 23.5 km).Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 3. Lauretta - Bennu science highlightsCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 4. Lauretta - Bennu candidate sites and Nightingale flyoverData provided by NASA/University of Arizona/CSA/York University/MDACredit: NASA/Goddard/SVS 1. Moreau - OSIRIS-REx Matchpoint rehearsalCaptured on August 11, 2020 during the second rehearsal of the OSIRIS-REx mission’s sample collection event, this series of images shows the SamCam imager’s field of view as the NASA spacecraft approaches asteroid Bennu’s surface. The rehearsal brought the spacecraft through the first three maneuvers of the sampling sequence to a point approximately 131 feet (40 meters) above the surface, after which the spacecraft performed a back-away burn.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 2. Moreau - TAG Event timelinePreview of the OSIRIS-REx TAG timeline. To grab a sample of Bennu, OSIRIS-REx will break orbit and perform a series of engine burns in order to safely touch down at site Nightingale.Credit: NASA/Goddard/SVS/CI Lab 3. Moreau - Natural Feature TrackingOSIRIS-REx will autonomously steer itself to site Nightingale using an optical navigation technique called Natural Feature Tracking. Watch video on NFT.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 4. Moreau - Sampling area to ScaleThis artist concept animation shows a size comparison of the planned sample collection area before arriving at Bennu (orange), and after arriving at Bennu (blue). The original mission plan envisioned a sample site with a diameter of 164 feet (50 m). However, the sampling region for site Nightingale is approximately 26 ft (8 m) in diameter. The area safe enough for the spacecraft to touch is the width of a few parking spaces.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab 5. Moreau - Sampling area Hazard MapsCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 6. Moreau - TAG "What If?" HazardsDuring its descent to site Nightingale, OSIRIS-REx could encounter several hazardous scenarios that would prevent it from collecting a sample of asteroid Bennu on its first attempt, including: Wave-Off, TAG on a boulder, and TAG on rocks.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab 1. Freund - TAGSAM ExplainedOSIRIS-REx descends to the surface of asteroid Bennu to collect a sample of fine-grained material from site Nightingale using its TAGSAM instrument.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab 2. Freund - Sample StowFollowing collection, OSIRIS-REx will stow its sample of asteroid Bennu for return to Earth in September 2023.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab 3. Freund - Sample ReturnWhen OSIRIS-REx returns to Earth, it will release the Sample Return Capsule for touchdown in the Utah desert on September 24, 2023.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab 5. Lauretta - Sample VerificationFollowing TAG, OSIRIS-REx will use SamCam to visually inspect the TAGSAM head and confirm that it has collected a sample from Bennu.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab 6. Lauretta - Sample Mass MeasurementAfter imaging the TAGSAM head, OSIRIS-REx will perform a spin maneuver with its TAGSAM arm extended to determine the mass of the collected sample.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab 7. Lauretta - Sample Return Capsule openingClose up of the OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Capsule opening, and the TAGSAM head becoming translucent to reveal material collected from asteroid Bennu.Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab Slate for T-30 press briefingCredit: NASA/Goddard For More InformationSee [NASA.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex) Related pages

The visualization begins with a rotating 3D model representation of the asteroid Bennu, created using data from the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) instrument. Four candidate sample sites (with labels) are highlighted with PolyCam images.Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel. An animated GIF of the asteroid Bennu with labels of the four candidate sites. UNLABELED VERSIONThe visualization begins with a rotating 3D model representation of the asteroid Bennu, created using data from the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) instrument. Four candidate sample sites are highlighted with PolyCam images. Print resolution (16k) still image of the candidate sample sites with labels. Print resolution (16k) still image of the candidate sample sites without labels. Pictured are the four candidate sample collection sites on asteroid Bennu selected by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. Site Nightingale (top left) is located in Bennu’s northern hemisphere. Sites Kingfisher (top right) and Osprey (bottom left) are located in Bennu’s equatorial region. Site Sandpiper (bottom right) is located in Bennu’s southern hemisphere. In December 2019, one of these sites will be chosen for the mission’s touchdown event.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona Candidate Bennu sample site - OspreyInstrument Used: OCAMS (PolyCam) Candidate Bennu sample site - KingfisherInstrument Used: OCAMS (PolyCam) Candidate Bennu sample site - NightingaleInstrument Used: OCAMS (PolyCam) Candidate Bennu sample site - SandpiperInstrument Used: OCAMS (PolyCam) Visualization of a rotating 3D model representation of the asteroid Bennu, created using data from the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) instrument. Global map of asteroid Bennu, showing the locations of the final four candidate sample sites.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona Candidate Sample Site Labels OSIRIS-REx is a mission to study and map near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Its primary science objective is to collect a sample of Bennu in mid 2020 and return it to Earth in late 2023. In preparation, mission planners have identified four candidate sample sites on Bennu's rocky surface where OSIRIS-REx could briefly touch down to collect its sample. The mission will down-select to the final two sites – a primary and a backup – in December 2019. Like the mythological Bennu bird for which the asteroid is named, all of the candidate sample sites refer to birds that can be found in Egypt.Learn more about the candidate sample sites on Bennu. For More InformationSee [NASA.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-mission-selects-final-four-site-candidates-for-asteroid-sample-return) Related pages

Recorded audio from the OSIRIS-REx science results teleconference on March 19, 2019, with accompanying presenter graphics. Individual graphics are available below.Watch this video on the NASA.gov Video YouTube channel. Media teleconference promotional imageCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 1. Glaze - NASA's Small Bodies FleetCredit: NASA 1. Lauretta - Asteroid 101955 Bennu rotatingThis rotating mosaic of asteroid Bennu is composed of 40 images captured by the PolyCam imager onboard NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft over a four-hour period on December 2, 2018. During the observation period, the spacecraft’s range to the center of the asteroid decreased from about 15.3 to 14.6 miles (24.6 to 23.5 km).Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 2. Lauretta - Bennu images and spectraCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Arizona State University 3. Lauretta - Bennu particle plumesThis view of asteroid Bennu ejecting particles from its surface on January 19 was created by combining two images taken by the NavCam 1 imager onboard NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft: a short exposure images (1.4 ms), which shows the asteroid clearly, and a long exposure image (5 sec), which shows the particles clearly. Other image processing techniques were also applied, such as cropping and adjusting the brightness and contrast of each layer.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin 4. Lauretta - OSIRIS-REx candidate sample site on asteroid BennuAs OSIRIS-REx surveys asteroid Bennu in detail, the mission team is beginning to identify potential locations for the spacecraft to collect a sample. The spacecraft’s PolyCam camera imaged this candidate sample site in the asteroid’s northern hemisphere (roughly 55 N latitude and 50 E longitude) on March 7 from a distance of about 3.1 miles (5 km).Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 1. Adam - OSIRIS-REx Orbit insertion and Orbital A as flownCredit: NASA/Goddard 2. Adam - Stellar navigation vs. landmark-based navigationDuring Orbital A, OSIRIS-REx transitioned from using the center of Bennu (relative to background stars) to using landmarks on the asteroid’s surface for navigation.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin/KinetX, Inc. 3. Adam - Bennu particle velocitiesYellow arrows overlaid on two long-exposure images of asteroid Bennu show the trajectories of particles that were ejected from Bennu’s surface on January 19. The underlying image is a composite of two images captured by the NavCam 1 imager onboard OSIRIS-REx.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin/KinetX, Inc. 1. Burns - OSIRIS-REx candidate sample site and target area on asteroid BennuThe original OSIRIS-REx mission design called for the spacecraft to target a hazard-free area with an 82-foot (25-meter) radius during sample collection. Bennu’s high density of boulders means the team must prepare to sample a markedly smaller area, such as the loose regolith in the upper left portion of this PolyCam image taken on March 7. This candidate sample site is located at roughly 10 N latitude and 95 E longitude.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 2. Burns - OSIRIS-REx sample collection animationCredit: NASA/Goddard 5. Lauretta – Bennu Revealed GraphicCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona NASA hosted a media teleconference at 1:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 19, to announce new science from the agency’s first mission to return to Earth an asteroid sample that may contain unaltered material from the very beginning of our solar system.The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft launched Sept. 8, 2016, and began orbiting the asteroid Bennu on Dec. 31, 2018. Since its arrival at Bennu, the probe has been investigating the asteroid and searching for an ideal site for sample collection. Bennu is only slightly wider than the height of the Empire State Building and is the smallest body ever orbited by spacecraft. Studying Bennu with OSIRIS-REx will allow researchers to learn more about the origins of our solar system, the sources of water and organic molecules on Earth, and the hazards and resources in near-Earth space. The teleconference participants are:Lori Glaze, acting director, NASA’s Planetary Science Division, WashingtonDante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator, University of Arizona, TucsonCoralie Adam, OSIRIS-REx flight navigator, KinetX, Inc. Space Navigation and Flight Dynamics, Simi Valley, Calif.Rich Burns, OSIRIS-REx project manager, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.For more information about the mission, go to nasa.gov/osirisrex or asteroidmission.org.Learn more about the big surprises at Bennu that were announced during this teleconference, and see images of the asteroid's particle plumes and its unexpectedly rugged surface. For More InformationSee [NASA.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex) Related pages

The following video presents the press conference that corresponds with the slides that appear below. This event took place live at 2pm EST on December 10, 2018 at the American Geophysical Union conference in Washington DC. Watch this video on YouTube. TAGSAM Banner ImageCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona This image shows an artist’s rendering of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collecting a sample of material from Bennu’s surface in 2023. 1. Grossman – New FrontiersCredit: NASA-HQ 2. Grossman – Planetary FleetCredit: NASA 3. Grossman – Planetary Fleet/Small Bodies MissionsCredit: NASA 4. Grossman – Small Bodies FleetCredit: NASA 5. Grossman – NASA Small-Body MissionsCredit: NASA/University of Arizona 1. Lauretta – Twelve-Image PolyCam Mosaic of BennuCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaThis mosaic image of asteroid Bennu is composed of 12 PolyCam images collected on Dec. 2 by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft from a range of 15 miles (24 km). The image was obtained at a 50° phase angle between the spacecraft, asteroid and the Sun, and in it, Bennu spans approximately 1,500 pixels in the camera’s field of view. 2. Lauretta – Mission Success CriteriaCredit: University of Arizona 3. Lauretta - OSIRIS-REx InstrumentsCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 1. Simon – OVIRS and OTES OverviewCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Arizona State University 2. Simon – First OVIRS Spectrum of BennuCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 3. Simon – Hydrated Mineral Feature on Bennu Near 2.7 MicronsCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/NASA Johnson Space Center/K.H. Joy 4. Simon – OTES Spectrum of Bennu Compared to Meteorite SpectraCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/NASA Johnson Space Center/K.H. Joy 5. Simon – Clay Mineral Formation and Hydration ProcessCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 1. Nolan – Arecibo RadarCredit: Arecibo Observatory 2. Nolan – Comparing Arecibo Radar Data and Ground-Based Shape Model of BennuCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Arecibo Observatory 3. Nolan – Comparing PolyCam Imagery and Ground-Based Shape Model of BennuCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 4. Nolan – Comparing PolyCam Imagery and Updated Preliminary Shape Model of BennuCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 4. Lauretta – MapCam Red/Green/Blue (RGB) Composite Image of BennuCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 5. Lauretta – Bennu Thermal Emission MapCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona 6. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped to show one section of the asteroid. 7. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface – Boulder Pile DetailCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped to show one section of the asteroid, and an area containing a boulder pile, approximately 52 feet (16 m) in width, is circled. 8. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface – Boulder Pile Detail MagnifiedCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped and magnified to show an area containing a boulder pile approximately 52 feet (16 m) in width in detail. 9. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface – 35-Meter Fractured Boulder DetailCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped to show one section of the asteroid, and an area containing a fractured boulder approximately 115 feet (35 m) in width is circled. 10. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface – 35-Meter Fractured Boulder Detail MagnifiedCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped and magnified to show an area containing a fractured boulder approximately 115 feet (35 m) in width in detail. 11. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface – 31-Meter Fractured Boulder DetailCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped to show one section of the asteroid, and an area containing a fractured boulder approximately 102 feet (31 m) in width is circled. 12. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface – 31-Meter Fractured Boulder Detail MagnifiedCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped and magnified to show an area containing a fractured boulder approximately 102 feet (31 m) in width in detail. 13. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface Containing 20-Meter CraterCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped to show one section of the asteroid containing a crater (20 m) in width. 14. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface Containing 20-Meter Crater DetailCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped and a section of the asteroid containing a crater (20 m) in width is circled. 15. Lauretta – PolyCam Image of Bennu’s Surface Containing 20-Meter Crater Detail MagnifiedCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaOn Dec. 2, 2018, the PolyCam camera on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft imaged Bennu from a range of 15 miles (24 km). This image is cropped and magnified to show an area containing a crater (20 m) in width. 16. Lauretta – OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Operations TimelineCredit: University of Arizona 17. Lauretta – TAGSAM Test ImageCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaThis image shows an artist’s rendering of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collecting a sample of material from Bennu’s surface in 2023. The inset photograph shows the OSIRIS-REx Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) sampling head extended from the spacecraft at the end of the TAGSAM arm. The spacecraft’s SamCam camera captured the image on November 14, 2018 as part of a visual checkout of the TAGSAM system, which was developed by Lockheed Martin Space to acquire a sample of asteroid material in a low-gravity environment. The imaging was a rehearsal for a series of observations that will be taken at Bennu directly after sample collection. 18. Lauretta – Mission Science ObjectivesCredit: University of Arizona 19. Lauretta – Twelve-Image PolyCam Mosaic of BennuCredit: NASA/Goddard/University of ArizonaThis mosaic image of asteroid Bennu is composed of 12 PolyCam images collected on Dec. 2 by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft from a range of 15 miles (24 km). The image was obtained at a 50° phase angle between the spacecraft, asteroid and the Sun, and in it, Bennu spans approximately 1,500 pixels in the camera’s field of view. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission presented the science results gained during the spacecraft’s approach toward the asteroid Bennu at a press conference hosted during AGU’s Fall Meeting at 2 p.m. ET, Monday, Dec. 10.The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft, which launched on Sept. 8, 2016, started asteroid science operations on Aug. 17, 2018, while still 1.4 million miles from the asteroid Bennu. Between that time and the spacecraft’s arrival at Bennu on Dec. 3, the mission made a number of discoveries about the asteroid. The mission represents a valuable opportunity to learn more about the origins of our solar system, the sources of water and organic molecules on Earth, and the hazards and resources in near-Earth space. The briefing participants are:Jeffrey Grossman, OSIRIS-REx program scientist at NASA HeadquartersDante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, TucsonAmy Simon, OVIRS deputy instrument scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Michael Nolan, OSIRIS-REx science team chief at the University of Arizona, TucsonFor more information, go to nasa.gov/osiris-rex or asteroidmission.org. For More InformationSee [https://www.asteroidmission.org](https://www.asteroidmission.org) Related pages

This video shows the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft’s view of Bennu during the final phase of its journey to the asteroid. From Aug. 17 through Nov. 27 the spacecraft’s PolyCam camera imaged Bennu almost daily as the spacecraft traveled 1.4 million miles (2.2 million km) toward the asteroid. The final images were obtained from a distance of around 40 miles (65 km). During this period, OSIRIS-REx completed four maneuvers slowing the spacecraft’s velocity from approximately 1,100 mph (491 m/sec) to 0.10 mph (0.04 m/sec) relative to Bennu, which resulted in the slower approach speed at the end of the video.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona This series of images taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft shows Bennu in one full rotation from a distance of around 50 miles (80 km). The spacecraft’s PolyCam camera obtained the thirty-six 2.2-millisecond frames over a period of four hours and 18 minutes.Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona After traveling through space for more than 2 years and over 2 billion kilometers, NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft arrived at its destination, asteroid Bennu, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. The spacecraft will spend almost a year surveying the asteroid with five scientific instruments with the goal of selecting a location that is safe and scientifically interesting to collect the sample. OSIRIS-REx will return the sample to Earth in September 2023. For More InformationSee [NASA.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/osiris-rex-approach) Related pages

Hosted video YouTube versionWatch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.Music credits:"Memorized" by Camille Ballon [SACEM]; KTSA Publishing SACEM; Gum Tapes; Killer Tracks Production Music"City Dreams" by Roberto Briot [SACEM]; KTSA Publishing SACEM; Gum Tapes; Killer Tracks Production Music"Sjungande Faglar" by Thomas Didler [SACEM]; KTSA Publishing SACEM; Gum Tapes; Killer Tracks Production Music Hosted video Facebook/social versionMusic credits:"Memorized" by Camille Ballon [SACEM]; KTSA Publishing SACEM; Gum Tapes; Killer Tracks Production Music"City Dreams" by Roberto Briot [SACEM]; KTSA Publishing SACEM; Gum Tapes; Killer Tracks Production Music"Sjungande Faglar" by Thomas Didler [SACEM]; KTSA Publishing SACEM; Gum Tapes; Killer Tracks Production Music 30-second trailer, squareMusic credit: "Valiant" by Dimitris Mann [ASCAP] and Scott Goodman [ASCAP]; Open Note ASCAP; Icon Trailer Music 30-second trailer, horizontalMusic credit: "Valiant" by Dimitris Mann [ASCAP] and Scott Goodman [ASCAP]; Open Note ASCAP; Icon Trailer Music 30-second trailer, verticalMusic credit: "Valiant" by Dimitris Mann [ASCAP] and Scott Goodman [ASCAP]; Open Note ASCAP; Icon Trailer Music NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission launched in 2016 and now (August, 2018) is entering its approach phase. OSIRIS-REx will arrive at asteroid Bennu in December, 2018. OSIRIS-REx will help unveil the mysteries of our solar system's formation.For more information, go to nasa.gov/osirisrex or asteroidmission.org. For More InformationSee [https://nasa.gov/osirisrex](https://nasa.gov/osirisrex) Related pages

OSIRIS-REx outbound orbit to asteroid Bennu, including an Earth-gravity assist approximately one year after launch. The gravity assist will adjust the spacecraft’s orbit, putting it in the same inclination as the orbit of Bennu. OSIRIS-REx performs an Earth Gravity Assist to enter Bennu's orbit plane. OSIRIS-REx outbound orbit to asteroid Bennu, with a top-down view of the Earth-gravity assist. OSIRIS-REx will approach Bennu in 2018. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will execute a series of maneuvers to study the asteroid. In this orientation, Bennu's North Pole points down. OSIRIS-REx will approach Bennu in 2018. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will execute a series of maneuvers to study the asteroid. In this orientation, Bennu's North Pole points up. OSIRIS-REx 'Baseball Diamond' scans OSIRIS-REx 'Baseball Diamond' scans with station labels fading over time OSIRIS-REx Equatorial Stations OSIRIS-REx Equatorial Stations with sun vector OSIRIS-REx transitions from Equatorial Stations to Orbital B OSIRIS-REx Orbit B precession over a two-month period. While in orbit around Bennu, OSIRIS-REx will study and map the asteroid's entire surface. OSIRIS-REx scans the surface of Bennu. Video available in both 30fps and 60fps formats. OSIRIS-REx scans one of several potential sample locations. OSIRIS-REx will perform a series of reconnaissance passes close to the asteroid. This visualization depicts a 225 meter pass. OSIRIS-REx will perform a series of reconnaissance passes close to the asteroid. This visualization depicts a 525 meter pass. OSIRIS-REx Checkpoint TAG rehearsal OSIRIS-REx Matchpoint TAG rehearsal After studying the asteroid for more than a year, OSIRIS-REx will briefly ‘tag’ the surface to collect a small sample, which it will return to Earth in 2023. OSIRIS-REx returns to Earth with its precious sample of asteroid Bennu. After releasing the sample return capsule, the spacecraft will go into orbit around the Sun. 8:3 aspect ratio version of outbound orbit 8:3 aspect ratio version of OSIRIS-REx arriving at Bennu 8:3 aspect ratio version of return orbit The Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security - Regolith Explorer spacecraft will travel to a near-Earth asteroid, called Bennu (formerly 1999 RQ36), and bring at least a 2.1-ounce sample back to Earth for study. The mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.OSIRIS-REx launched on Sept. 8, 2016, at 7:05 p.m. EDT. As planned, the spacecraft will reach its target asteroid in 2018 and return a sample to Earth in 2023. These animations depict the journey of OSIRIS-REx to Bennu and back, including the complex maneuvers that the spacecraft will perform in the asteroid's low-gravity environment. The animations are presented in chronological order. For More InformationSee [http://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex](http://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex) Related pages

Excerpt of OSIRIS-REx launch coverage by NASA-TV. The unedited camera feeds from this broadcast are available below. Ground-level view of OSIRIS-REx lifting off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral. OSIRIS-REx launch viewed from the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. OSIRIS-REx launch viewed from the Vertical Integration Facility at SLC-41 on Cape Canaveral. OSIRIS-REx launch footage from the UCS-3 camera. OSIRIS-REx launch filmed from the NASA Causeway, between Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. This view looks north along the Banana River toward SLC-41. Crowd gathered at Kennedy Space Center to watch OSIRIS-REx begin its journey. "Rocket Cam" view looking down the Atlas V 411 launch vehicle. The single solid rocket booster jettisons at 3:21 in the video. OSIRIS-REx launch footage from the UCS-3 tracker camera. OSIRIS-REx launch footage from the UCS-23 tracker camera. On September 8, 2016, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft began its journey to near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Just as the sun began to set over Cape Canaveral, OSIRIS-REx made a picture-perfect liftoff at 7:05 pm EDT. It departed Space Launch Complex 41 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket, cheered on by crowds of mission personnel and space enthusiasts. The launch sent OSIRIS-REx on a seven-year journey to asteroid Bennu and back.An excerpt of the launch broadcast appears at the top of this page. Raw camera feeds from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center appear below. These clips are intended as a video editor's resource, and are available for download in their original DVCPRO HD format. Launch commentary is provided by KSC host Mike Curie.Learn more about OSIRIS-REx from NASA and the University of Arizona. For More InformationSee [NASA.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex) Related pages

B-roll of OSIRIS-REx arriving at the Kennedy Space Center in May 2016, leading to a spin test and balance test. Footage of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft being assembled and tested at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Littleton, Colorado. In this video, the spacecraft bus is placed in a large thermal vacuum chamber for TVAC testing.Footage courtesy of Lockheed Martin. Footage of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft being shipped from Lockheed Martin Space Systems and loaded onto to a cargo plane for its flight to KSC, in May 2016. Related pages

Dr. Dante Lauretta - OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator, University of ArizonaInterview from December, 2014 at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center studio.0:00 - Dante Lauretta Intro0:07 - What is OSIRIS-REx?0:23 - Why is OSIRIS-REx exciting?0:51 - Why are asteroids considered "time capsules"?1:49 - Why sample an asteroid instead of studying meteorites?2:51 - Why was Bennu chosen as the target asteroid?4:01 - What is the timeline of the OSIRIS-REx mission?4:20 - How will OSIRIS-REx navigate in the low gravity of Bennu?5:10 - What will OSIRIS-REx do while it's at Bennu?6:24 - How will OSIRIS-REx select a sample site?7:32 - How does OSIRIS-REx and TAGSAM incorporate what you've learned from past missions?8:49 - What will happen to the sample once it's back on Earth?9:26 - How will scientists be able to study the returned sample? Dr. Jason Dworkin - OSIRIS-REx Project Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterInterview from January, 2015 at the Goddard Space Flight Center Astrobiology Lab0:00 - Jason Dworkin Intro0:14 - What is the role of a project scientist?0:53 - What will you learn by returning a sample from asteroid Bennu?1:07 - How is Bennu a "time capsule"?1:53 - Why was Bennu chosen as the target asteroid for OSIRIS-REx?2:49 - Why look at an asteroid sample instead of meteorites?3:48 - Why return a sample from Bennu instead of just studying it in situ?5:03 - What does the future hold for the returned asteroid sample?5:39 - Who will get to study the returned asteroid sample?6:05 - How does this compare to the Apollo moon samples?6:24 - What science will we learn from the Bennu sample?7:21 - How does organic chemistry help us understand the origin of life?8:31 - What does the Astrobiology Laboratory at NASA Goddard study?8:52 - Room Tone Dr. Tim Haltigin, OSIRIS-REx Canadian Mission Manager, Canadian Space AgencyInterview from March, 2016 at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center studio0:00 - Tim Haltigin Intro0:20 - Why are asteroids important to planetary science?0:54 - Analogy: Earth is like a cake and asteroids are like the mixing bowl1:37 - What is OSIRIS-REx?1:51 - What is OLA?2:09 - What past instruments has the Canadian Space Agency contributed to NASA missions?2:28 - Why did Canada contribute OLA to OSIRIS-REx?2:58 - How does OLA use LIDAR?3:43 - Why does OLA have two lasers?4:29 - When will the OLA instrument turn on?5:01 - What will be the resolution of OLA's map of Bennu?5:35 - Why is it important to understand the shape of asteroid Bennu?6:22 - What are the challenges in building an instrument for spaceflight?7:07 - Why is it important to test your instrument?8:08 - Why is a thermal vacuum test particularly important for OLA?8:46 - How will OLA's shape model of Bennu compare to what we already know?9:08 - Why is OSIRIS-REx exciting for you personally? This resource page contains broadcast-quality interview clips about the OSIRIS-REx mission. Clips are available for download in both Apple ProRes and H.264 versions. For More InformationSee [NASA.gov](http://nasa.gov/osiris-rex) Related pages

Large format image of OSIRIS-REx before sampling Bennu. Bennu title sequence Bennu size comparision. This page contains graphics and animation resources related to near-Earth asteroid Bennu, the target of NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. Related pages

OSIRIS-REx approaches Bennu TAG Arm Deploy TAG Arm Deploy Reverse OSIRIS-REx desending to Bennu OSIRIS-REx approach continued TAGSAM getting closer OSIRIS-REx almost there Contact OSIRIS-REx Pulls away TAG Maneuver Interior Cutaway OSIRIS-REx backs away from Bennu Sample Verification OCAMS SamCam Sample Verification OCAMS Sam Cam 2 Sample Mass Measurement Sample Stowage Sequence Sample Stowage Sequence Closeup OSIRIS-REx Stows the TAG Arm Returning to Earth After nine months in orbit around asteroid Bennu, OSIRIS-REx will begin the process of maneuvering closer to the surface in preparation of the sample collection event. Once the sample site has been selected, OSIRIS-REx will break from its polar orbit to practice three flyovers of the site at increasing proximities, eventually matching Bennu's speed and rotation. The narrow-angle PolyCam will image the sample site at sub-centimeter resolution during these close passes.When OSIRIS-REx is ready, it will slowly descend to Bennu's surface at a few centimeters per second. Its outstretched arm will touch down and blow high-pressure nitrogen gas into Bennu's soil. This will force loose dust, dirt, and rocks upward into the TAGSAM head, trapping the material inside. OSIRIS-REx will then weigh and stow the captured sample for return to Earth in 2023. Related pages

Edited movie of mapping animations OSIRIS-REx arrival at Bennu. Bennu reveal. Detailed survey of Bennu. OSIRIS-REx mapping Bennu. OSIRIS-REx flying over Bennu OSIRIS-REx mapping Bennu OSIRIS-REx will spend over a year orbiting and mapping asteroid Bennu in preparation of the mission's main science goal – collecting a sample of Bennu for return to Earth in 2023. Related pages

OSIRIS-REx returns to Earth with its sample of asteroid Bennu. After releasing the sample return capsule on September 24, 2023, the spacecraft will go into orbit around the Sun.Watch this video on the NASA.gov Video YouTube channel. SRC arrives back at Earth SRC seperates from OSIRIS-REx SRC heading towards Earth SRC ReEntry Heading towards landing site Parachute deploys SRC desending Touchdown Transport Sample Open Capsule On September 24, 2023, OSIRIS-REx will return its sample of asteroid Bennu to Earth. The sample return capsule will detach from the spacecraft, perform an entry, descent and landing sequence, and touch down at the UTTR facility in Utah. The Bennu samples will be taken to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas for curation, and will be studied by scientists around the world for decades to come. Related pages

OSIRIS-REx spacecraft with push into Instrument deck. OSIRIS-REx spacecraft with push onto Instrument deck. This movie has an alpha channel Loop-able animation of the OSIRIS_REx spacecraft. Loop-able animation of the OSIRIS_REx spacecraft.This animation has an alpha channel. REXIS Instrument on OSIRIS-REx. OVIRS Instrument on OSIRIS-REx. OTES Instrument on OSIRIS-REx. OCAMS Instrument on OSIRIS-REx. OLA Instrument on OSIRIS-REx. OSIRIS-REx is a solar-powered spacecraft built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. The spacecraft bus measures 3.2 meters high by 2.4 meters wide (about 10x8 feet). With its solar arrays deployed, the spacecraft spans 6.2 meters in length (over 20 feet). A high-gain antenna on the sun-pointed side of OSIRIS-REx enables communication with Earth. On the opposite side is the TAGSAM, a 3.4-meter-long, folding arm that will reach out and grab a sample of the mission's target, near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Before collecting the sample, OSIRIS-REx will spend over a year orbiting and studying Bennu with a suite of remote sensing instruments, located on the spacecraft's main instrument deck. These include the OCAMS camera suite for spectral imaging, mapping, and navigation; the OLA laser altimeter for measuring elevation; the OTES thermal emission spectrometer for infrared mapping; the OVIRS visible and infrared spectrometer for detecting organic compounds; and the student-built REXIS X-ray spectrometer for detecting individual atomic elements.Mission planners will use this suite of instruments to determine the best location on Bennu for collecting the sample, which OSIRIS-REx will return to Earth in 2023. Related pages

OSIRIS-REx makes its outbound cruise to asteroid Bennu. After leaving Earth in September 2016, OSIRIS-REx spent two years traveling to asteroid Bennu. In September 2017 it flew by Earth for a gravity assist, putting the spacecraft in the right orbital inclination to rendezvous with Bennu in December 2018. Related pages