What instruments are on OSIRIS-REx?

What instruments are on OSIRIS-REx?

• OTES. The OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) provides mineral and temperature information by collecting infrared (from 5.71–100 μ m) spectral data from Bennu.
• OVIRS. The OSIRIS-REx Visible and Infrared Spectrometer (OVIRS) measures visible and infrared light from Bennu.
• REXIS.

Did OSIRIS-REx get a sample?

After nearly five years in space, NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft is on its way back to Earth with an abundance of rocks and dust from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

How does OSIRIS-REx generate electricity to power its instruments?

OSIRIS-REx has two power-generating solar panels affixed to the zenith-panel of the spacecraft. When deployed, the arrays give the spacecraft a span of 6.2 meters; their active area amounts to 8.5 square meters.

What did OSIRIS-REx collect from Bennu?

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx is the first U.S. mission to successfully collect a sample from an asteroid. On Oct. 20, 2020, the spacecraft briefly touched down on Bennu, an asteroid more than 200 million miles (321 million kilometers) from Earth, and grabbed dust and rocks from a sample site called Nightingale.

What is the name of the robotic arm of OSIRIS-REx?

TAGSAM
TAGSAM or Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism is a robotic arm on the OSIRIS-REx space probe for collecting a sample from asteroid 101955 Bennu.

How does OSIRIS-REx sample work?

In October 2020, OSIRIS-REx collected a sample by high-fiving Bennu with cylindrical device called TAGSAM at the end of its sample arm. Upon touching the asteroid, TAGSAM fired a blast of nitrogen gas into the surface, stirring rocks and soil into a small collection chamber.

Has OSIRIS-REx left Bennu?

Jun 04, 2021 NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is 328,000 miles, or 528,000 kilometers, away from the asteroid Bennu, having fired its engines on May 10 to initiate a return trip to Earth.

What are meteoroids?

Meteoroids are lumps of rock or iron that orbit the sun, just as planets, asteroids, and comets do. Meteoroids are found throughout the solar system, from the rocky inner planets to the remote reaches of the Kuiper belt. Meteoroids are lumps of rock or iron that orbit the sun, just as planets, asteroids, and comets do.

How does the OSIRIS-REx work?

The OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) consists of the PolyCam, the MapCam, and the SamCam. Together, they acquire information on asteroid Bennu by providing global mapping, sample site reconnaissance and characterization, high-resolution imaging, and records of the sample acquisition.

Is Bennu going to hit Earth?

It has a cumulative 1-in-1,800 chance of impacting Earth between 2178 and 2290 with the greatest risk being on 24 September 2182. It is named after the Bennu, the ancient Egyptian mythological bird associated with the Sun, creation, and rebirth.

Can we mine asteroids?

Asteroids are another near-term mining target. There are all sorts of space rocks hurtling through the solar system, with varying amounts of water, rare earth metals and other materials on board.

How did Bennu get its name?

Who was the company that built the OSIRIS REx?

If successful, OSIRIS-REx will be the first U.S. spacecraft to return samples from an asteroid. The Lidar instrument used aboard the OSIRIS-REx was built by Lockheed Martin, in conjunction with the Canadian Space Agency.

What does OSIRIS REx stand for in space?

OSIRIS-REx is an acronym for “Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer.” The goal of the mission – collect a sample weighing at least 2.1 ounces (59.5 grams) from near-Earth asteroid 101955 Bennu (formerly known as 1999 RQ36) and then bring the sample to Earth.

How does the OSIRIS REx Laser Altimeter work?

The OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) is a scanning and LIDAR instrument that will provide high resolution topographical information throughout the mission. The information received by OLA will create global topographic maps of Bennu, local maps of candidate sample sites, ranging in support of other instruments,…

How big is the OSIRIS REx asteroid sample?

The sample collected is estimated to weigh more than 2 ounces (60 grams). The sample will be delivered to Earth in September 2023. Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid that could one day threaten Earth. OSIRIS-REx is the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid. A 3D model of OSIRIS-REx, a mission to explore asteroid Bennu.