NASA asteroid-sampling mission

OSIRIS-REx is the first U.S. mission to travel to an asteroid with the object of retrieving samples and returning them to Earth. Its target, Bennu, is likely rich in organic molecules that could hold clues to the origin of our solar system

OSIRIS-REx Origins-Spectral Interpretation- Resource Identification-
Security-Regolith Explorer

Solar panels

Instruments Used to map surface of asteroid and select sample site

TAGSAM* Articulated arm

Sampler head

Bennu (width 500m)

Empire State Building to scale

Bennu: Asteroid discovered in 1999. Has one-in-2,700 chanceof striking Earth in 22nd century

Venus

Mercury

Mars

Earth

Sample Return Capsule: Sampler head stowed inside for journey home. Will land with aid of parachutes in Utah desert

Arm blasts jet of nitrogen gas for five seconds

Gas

Surface material

Gas blows debris into sampler head.At least 60g collected

Collected sample

Timeline 09/2016 Launch 08/2018 Arrival 07/2020 Sample collection 09/2023
Return to Earth

Source / Pictures: NASA

*Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism