OSIRIS-REx

[Russian Rocket]

Asteroid sample return mission due off 8th September 2016

http://www.asteroidmission.org

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/~/media/files/5...

Edited by Russian Rocket on Monday 5th September 21:40

[Beati Dogu]

Yes, I mentioned it the other day. I'm following its progress on Twitter at the moment (NASA's public relation is second to none).

Hope it goes well.

[Beati Dogu]

NASA video about the science behind this mission:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu2Z5ZC1HBo

[Beati Dogu]

Well it was launched and deployed OK, so some good news at least.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULfQdFY9PQM

http://uk.businessinsider.com/nasa-osirisrex-bennu...

Love that engine start up sound.



This NASA JPL tracking webpage shows what dishes around the world are talking to what probe at any given time:

http://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/dsn.html

The OSIRIS-REx probe is called "ORX" on here.

[Beati Dogu]

2 years on and OSIRIS-REx is about to intercept asteroid "Bennu" on Monday, Dec. 3 at approximately noon EST (5 pm UK)

It'll get close enough to reach out its robot arm and take samples from the surface.



NASA will be live streaming it.

https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex

[Beati Dogu]

Quite a week for NASA - OSIRIS-REx has made it to the asteroid OK. It'll now map & scan the bejesus out of it from about 3 miles above, before they decide where to get up close & take a sample from the surface in July 2020.

This sample will ultimately be sent back to earth for analysis. Reentering the atmosphere in a protective capsule over the Utah desert in 2023.

They believe that asteroids like Bennu are formed from the same material that formed the planets. They're looking for amino acids, the basic building blocks of life.

Osiris was the ancient Egyptian god of the Underworld.

[Beati Dogu]

Just over 4 years on from launch and the little OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is going to sneak up to the asteroid today and grab a sample from the surface.

If it fails to get enough material, they have sufficient nitrogen for 2 more attempts. Then it'll start the long 3 year journey home.

[Eric Mc]

Looks like it all went well.

[Beati Dogu]

Yes, quite a unique mission really.

I'll be the largest sample brought back to Earth since Apollo, according to Jim Bridenstine.


Video of the touch and go itself:

https://youtu.be/xj0O-fLSV7c

Edited by Beati Dogu on Wednesday 21st October 23:27

[annodomini2]

Doors is stuck open and the samples are drifting off into space

[Eric Mc]

Playing hard to get.

[Beati Dogu]

It’ll be ok. Seems the surface was much softer then they expected and the sampling arm punched in as much as half a meter.

https://youtu.be/cmQfWuFbLNg

[andy_s]

All sorted and on its way back.

[Beati Dogu]

3 years on and the OSIRIS-REx return capsule is expected to arrive back on Earth on 24th September 2023.

It should re-enter and land under a parachute at the US Air Force's Utah Test and Training Range. Basically a huge desert area about 80 miles west of Salt Lake City.

Edited by Beati Dogu on Tuesday 25th July 20:10

[Ian974]

That's going to be a heck of an achievement when it's back and landed (well, it already is based on what it's done so far!)
The reliability of these experiments and things like the mars rovers is one of the most impressive things about these missions to me.

[Beati Dogu]

The OSIRIS-REx return capsule is still on for its return to Earth on Sunday 24th Sept.

NASA will be covering it from 3pm UK time:

https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive


They'll also have a press conference at 5pm


OSIRIS-REx itself will be heading on to its next target, the asteroid Apophis, arriving in 2029.

Edited by Beati Dogu on Saturday 23 September 20:45

[Eric Mc]

Hope to tune in for that.

[Eric Mc]

Live tracker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWc-ElT0pMM

The re-entry module has been successfully separated from the main spacecraft.

[Eric Mc]

15 minutes to atmospheric interface.
29 minutes to landing,

[Goa'uld]

The NASA app is one of the few that I permit all notifications for, got a good heads up on this and then their direct link for the NASA live pre show with all the animations and summaries.

Properly stokes the kids imagination.

Still have their boarding passes for the Artemis mission which is a cool touch from NASA!