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OSIRIS-REx
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OSIRIS-REx
OSIRIS-REx Mission to Asteroids

Goals: OSIRIS-REx is designed to approach and study near-Earth asteroid 1999 RQ36 and ultimately collect samples from its surface. The samples will be returned to Earth for study.

Asteroids are leftovers formed from the cloud of gas and dust -- the solar nebula -- that collapsed to form our sun and the planets about 4.5 billion years ago. They contain the original material from the solar nebula, which can tell us about the conditions of our solar system's birth.

Accomplishments: This mission is in development.
Key Dates
2016:  Launch
2020:  Arrival at asteroid 1999 RQ36
Status: In Development
Fast Facts
OSIRIS-REx Facts OSIRIS-REx will be the first U.S. mission to carry samples from an asteroid back to Earth.

Japan's Hayabusa was the first successful asteroid sample return mission.

OSIRIS-REx is the third mission in NASA's New Frontiers program.

Asteroid 1999 RQ36 (above) is approximately 1,900 feet in diameter or roughly the size of five football fields.
Science & Technology Features
14 Feb 2013: 
One Close Fly-by: DA14 - What We Learn from NEOs
12 Feb 2013: 
Asteroid DA14 Flyby Toolkit
4 Feb 2013: 
Asteroid 2012 DA14 - Earth Flyby Reality Check
16 Aug 2011: 
NASA Plans to Visit a Near-Earth Asteroid
People Spotlight
Adriana Ocampo Adriana Ocampo
"When thinking about the great adventure that you have ahead, dream and never give up, be persistent and always be true to your heart." Read More...
Vicky Hamilton - Planetary Geologist, Southwest Research Institute
Meet More Space Explorers Meet More Space Explorers
Headlines
16 May 2013: 
NASA's Asteroid Sample Return Mission Moves into Development
1 May 2013: 
NASA Spacecraft Will Visit Asteroid with New Name
16 Apr 2013: 
How to Target an Asteroid
More Headlines More Headlines
Links
Solar System Bodies: Asteroids
Images of OSIRIS-REx
Videos Featuring OSIRIS-REx
NASA New Frontiers Program
Goddard Space Flight Center
Asteroid 101955 (1999 RQ36)
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Advisory: Dr. James Green, Director of Planetary Science
Outreach Manager: Alice Wessen
Curator/Editor: Phil Davis
Science Writers: Samantha Harvey & Autumn Burdick
Producer: Greg Baerg
Webmaster: David Martin
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Last Updated: 25 May 2011