GS TIMES STAFF
NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft departed asteroid Bennu on May 10, 2021, and started its two-year long journey back to Earth.
- On April 9, 2021, OSIRIS-REx spacecraft took one last look at Bennu, the asteroid from which it scooped up a sample last October.
- Slated for return to Earth in 2023, the mission is on track to deliver a sample of pristine material left over from the formation of our solar system into the hands of researchers on Earth.
- In October 2020, the spacecraft briefly touched asteroid Bennu, from where it collected samples of dust and pebbles.
About OSIRIS-REx
- OSIRIS-REx traveled to near-Earth asteroid Bennu and is bringing a small sample back to Earth for study.
- The mission launched Sept. 8, 2016, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
- The spacecraft reached Bennu in 2018 and will return a sample to Earth in 2023.
About Asteroid Bennu
- Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, much smaller than planets. They are also called minor planets.
- According to NASA, Bennu has seen more than 4.5 billion years of history.
- Bennu likely broke off from a much larger carbon-rich asteroid about 700 million to 2 billion years ago.
- It likely formed in the Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, and has drifted much closer to Earth since then.
- Because its materials are so old, Bennu may contain organic molecules similar to those that could have been involved with the start of life on Earth, says NASA.
