The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft dropped off an asteroid pattern from Bennu on September 24, 2023. NASA aired dwell footage of the descent because it impacted with the Utah desert three minutes forward of schedule. You can watch a replay of the coverage here. Groups on the bottom rapidly reached the touchdown website and decided that it was protected to move the pattern to a clear room in Utah. It should quickly make a journey to Johnson Area Middle in Houston, the place a portion of will probably be divided up and despatched to scientists around the globe for examine. The spacecraft, now below the title OSIRIS-APEX, sped off towards its subsequent mission: a rendezvous with asteroid Apophis.
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The #OSIRISREx pattern return capsule containing rock and dust collected in space from asteroid Bennu has arrived at non permanent clear room in Utah. The 4.5-billion-year-old pattern will quickly head to @NASA_Johnson for curation and evaluation. pic.twitter.com/Ke0PcDAKt0
— NASA (@NASA) September 24, 2023
After a journey of almost 3.9 billion miles, the #OSIRISREx asteroid pattern return capsule is again on Earth. Groups carry out the preliminary security evaluation—the primary individuals to return into contact with this {hardware} because it was on the opposite aspect of the solar system. pic.twitter.com/KVDWiovago
— NASA (@NASA) September 24, 2023
TOUCHDOWN! The #OSIRISREx pattern capsule landed on the Utah Take a look at and Coaching Vary at 10:52am ET (1452 UTC) after a 3.86-billion mile journey. This marks the US’s first pattern return mission of its variety and can open a time capsule to the beginnings of our solar system. pic.twitter.com/N8fun14Plt
— NASA (@NASA) September 24, 2023
Congratulations @NASA and the #OSIRISREx crew on bringing a chunk of space all the way down to earth! What a tremendous achievement! pic.twitter.com/ibd09fkIVc
— Chris “Hanks” Sembroski ?? (@ChrisSembroski) September 24, 2023
OSIRIS-REx’s journey to Bennu and again
OSIRIS-REx arrived at Bennu in 2018. In 2020, it touched down on the asteroid and scooped up materials from the floor. Then, in 2021, the spacecraft left Bennu on its return mission to Earth.
When OSIRIS-REx dropped off the asteroid pattern early Sunday morning, the capsule spiraled downward for hours earlier than hitting Earth’s ambiance. When it first hit the ambiance, it was dashing at about 27,650 mph (44,500 kph). A warmth protect protected the pattern inside because the capsule briefly grew to become a superheated ball of fireside.
Ultimately, a collection of parachutes deployed to sluggish the capsule additional. By the point the capsule impacted the Utah desert, it slowed all the way down to a velocity of 11 mph (18 kph).
Extra in regards to the asteroid pattern from Bennu
NASA mentioned the rocky asteroid pattern from Bennu is an estimated 8.8 ounces, or 250 grams. It’s NASA’s first asteroid pattern and the most important ever collected in space. Watch the video under for extra.
Watch a video detailing OSIRIS-REx’s supply of an asteroid pattern to Earth. The pattern from asteroid Bennu landed on Earth on September 24, 2023.
Persevering with on to Apophis
After OSIRIS-REx fired its thrusters to maintain it from colliding with Earth, it continued on its means, ultimately headed for Apophis. Apophis is an asteroid well-known for a way shut it can come to Earth. On Friday, April 13, 2029, the 1,100-foot (340-meter) space rock will come inside 19,662 miles (31,643 km) of Earth’s floor. That’s nearer than many Earth-orbiting satellites. Because the asteroid encounters Earth’s gravitational area, one consequence may very well be asteroid-quakes on Apophis. This passage will even change the orbit of Apophis barely. Some observers will even be capable of see Apophis because it passes.
OSIRIS-APEX, now renamed for its new goal of Apophis, will attain the asteroid in 2029. This extended mission could have OSIRIS-APEX orbiting and finding out Apophis for a yr and a half. The spacecraft will enterprise shut sufficient to the asteroid to fire up free materials.
Backside line: The spacecraft OSIRIS-REx dropped off an asteroid pattern from Bennu on September 24, 2023, earlier than persevering with on a mission to Apophis as OSIRIS-APEX.
