OSIRIS-REx lifted off in 2016! The unmanned space project Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer traveled 200 million miles to the asteroid 101955 Bennu on December 3, 2018. Scientists had expected Bennu to be smooth and rather geographically featureless. Instead Bennu was rocky and mountainous. Eventually scientists found a spot for OSIRIS-REx to land, and it touched down on a crater on October 20, 2020. Then it began collecting surface material. After it had collected about two cups of material, it departed Bennu on May 10, 2021. As OSIRIS-REx again traveled 200 million miles and approached earth on September 24, 2023, it ejected the sample. The sample landed safely, via parachutes, in Utah. Then OSIRIS-REx became OSIRIS-APEX and will continue its trip in space to visit 99942 Apophis in April 2029.
Sep 082024