The moment Osiris-Rex touches Bennu’s surface.
NASA / Goddard / University of Arizona
In October 2020, NASA Osiris Rex spacecraft bites the asteroid Bennu. Before Osiris-Rex returned to Earth to deliver his abundance, it took a moment to revisit the scene of the heist. The spacecraft made one last short flight from Bennu on Wednesday to discover what NASA called “the extent of the mess”.
NASA said Osiris-Rex had successfully completed the flight and spent nearly six hours on the asteroid. “It will take until at least April 13 for Osiris-Rex to turn off all data and new photos of Bennu’s surface recorded during the flight,” NASA said in a statement on Wednesday.
Osiris-Rex was a bit greedy during the sampling, and had a abundant amount of gravel it had to be stored sooner than expected. This left a mark on the asteroid.
“The Osiris-Rex team decided to add this last transition after Bennu’s surface was significantly disturbed by the sample collection,” NASA said. “During the touch, the spacecraft’s sampling head sank 48.8 centimeters into the surface of the asteroid, simultaneously firing a charge of nitrogen gas under pressure.” The thrusters fired to keep Osiris-Rex away also disturbed the surface.
The spacecraft has descended at a distance of only 3.5 kilometers from the asteroid’s surface, which is the closest approach since the sample collection took place.
Osiris-Rex will continue to roam Bennu until May 10, when it will begin a two-year journey back to Earth. The pieces of Bennu will be delivered to scientists via a sample-back capsule stored by the spacecraft.
Meanwhile, NASA will compare the before and after images of the sample website to see how big a tattoo Osiris-Rex left on Bennu.
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