OSIRIS-REx Earth Gravity Assist

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. || 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. || 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 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. || 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. || 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 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. || 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 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

OSIRIS-REx approaches Bennu || 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 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. || 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

Edited movie of mapping animations || 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. || 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 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. || 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. || 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