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OSIRIS-REx

This artist's concept shows the Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security - Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft contacting the asteroid Bennu with the Touch-And-Go Sample Arm Mechanism or TAGSAM. Image Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Launch Date Sept. 8, 2016 | 23:05 UT
Launch Site Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
Destination Asteroids, 101955 Bennu
Type Orbiter, Sample Return
Status In Progress
Nation United States
Alternate Names Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx), 41757, 2016-055A

Goals

Travel to a near-Earth asteroid Bennu (formerly 1999 RQ36), and bring at least a 2.1-ounce sample back to Earth for study. The mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.

Accomplishments

This spacecraft is en route to its primary destination.

Key Dates

Sept. 8, 2016 | 23:05 UT: Launch

Sept. 22, 2017 at 16:52 UT: Earth Flyby

August 2018: Asteroid Bennu Arrival

Sept. 24, 2023: Sample Return to Earth

Spacecraft

Launch Vehicle: Atlas V

Spacecraft Mass: 3,369 pounds (1,528 kilograms)

Spacecraft Instruments:

  1. The OCAMS Instrument Suite:

    1. MapCam

    2. PolyCam

    3. SamCam

  2. OLA

  3. OTES

  4. OVIRS

  5. REXIS

  6. TAGSAM

Additional Resources

NASA: OSIRIS-REx

University of Arizona: OSIRIS-REx

National Space Science Data Center Master Catalog: OSIRIS-RE

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