This graphic reveals the Earth return trajectory for the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft and for the sample capsule, after the spacecraft releases it above Earth on September 24. The yellow diamonds indicate the dates of spacecraft maneuvers that slightly adjust its trajectory to get it better, and then pointing at, and then above Earth. Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center
Sundays maneuver was a tweak of a crucial maneuver on September 10, which set the spacecraft on course to release its sample pill, with rocks and dust from asteroid Bennu, from 63,000 miles (or 102,000 kilometers) above Earths surface this weekend.
The spacecraft is currently about 1.8 million miles, or 2.8 million kilometers, away, traveling at about 14,000 miles per hour (about 23,000 kph) toward Earth.
OSIRIS-REx is NASAs very first asteroid sample return mission. It released in September 2016 on a journey to explore a near-Earth asteroid called Bennu. The objectives thrilling ending will happen on September 24, 2023, as a capsule consisting of the Bennu samples touches down in Utahs West Desert. Credit: NASA
Launched on September 8, 2016, from Cape Canaveral, NASAs OSIRIS-REx spacecraft started a journey to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. After voyaging through space for over two years, it effectively rendezvoused with its target on December 3, 2018.
As soon as at Bennu, OSIRIS-REx underwent a comprehensive period of comprehensive mapping, enabling researchers to understand the asteroids terrain and select the finest area for sample collection. The spacecraft then performed a bold “Touch-And-Go” (TAG) maneuver on October 20, 2020, delicately calling the asteroids surface to gather samples. This essential operation yielded a projected 8.8 ounces of rocky material, which will mark the first U.S. asteroid sample upon its return.
Having actually spent nearly 5 years in area, OSIRIS-REx initiated its journey home on May 10, 2021, by shooting its main engines at complete throttle for 7 minutes. This propelled it towards Earth, carrying its precious freight of rocks and dust from Bennu. The eagerly waited for sample is set to land on Earth on September 24.
On September 17, NASA adjusted the trajectory of its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to tweak the landing site for its sample capsule due to return to Earth on September 24. This modification, a shift of nearly 8 miles eastward, ensures the capsules descent into its designated landing zone in the Defense Departments Utah Test and Training Range. Credit: NASA
NASAs OSIRIS-REx spacecraft fired its thrusters to adjust its trajectory to improve its sample pills landing place in the world, set for September 24, targeting the Defense Departments Utah Test and Training Range.
On September 17, NASAs OSIRIS-REx engineers a little moved the spacecrafts trajectory to fine-tune the landing place of its sample pill, which the spacecraft will provide to Earth on September 24. The spacecraft briefly fired its thrusters Sunday to alter its velocity by 7 inches per minute (3 millimeters per second) relative to Earth.
This last correction maneuver moved the sample capsules forecasted landing location east by almost 8 miles, or 12.5 kilometers, to the center of its fixed landing zone inside a 36-mile by 8.5-mile (58-kilometer by 14-kilometer) location on the Defense Departments Utah Test and Training Range.
On September 17, NASA changed the trajectory of its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to fine-tune the landing site for its sample pill due to return to Earth on September 24. This graphic reveals the Earth return trajectory for the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft and for the sample pill, after the spacecraft launches it above Earth on September 24. The objectives thrilling finale will take location on September 24, 2023, as a pill consisting of the Bennu samples touches down in Utahs West Desert. The excitedly waited for sample is set to land on Earth on September 24.