Today, we hope to receive a very special delivery: a capsule containing a sample of an asteroid.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has been in progress for over seven years. Today we find out if its ultimate goal is successful.
In Depth | OSIRIS-REx – NASA Solar System Exploration
The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) is the first U.S. spacecraft to collect a sample from an asteroid. OSIRIS-REx traveled to near-Earth asteroid Bennu and is bringing a small sample to Earth for study…
The mission, developed by scientists at the University of Arizona, will give us more information about how the early solar system formed and about how life began. It will also help us better understand asteroids that could impact Earth in the future.
The plan is for the return capsule to land at the Defense Department’s Utah Test and Training Range. If successful, humanity will have the opportunity to study pristine asteroid material.
Interested in videos, activities, and other information about the mission? Here you go:
OSIRIS-REx Resources – NASA Solar System Exploration
The capsule is expected to land at approximately 10:55am Eastern time. Want to watch the livestream? Me too:)
OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return (Official 4K NASA Broadcast)
* Spoiler alert! The mission was a success!
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