OSIRIS-REx

Definition

OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) is a NASA space mission designed to study and collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. The mission aims to gather insights into the early solar system, the origins of organic molecules, and the potential resources that asteroids may provide for future space exploration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. OSIRIS-REx launched on September 8, 2016, and arrived at Bennu in December 2018.
2. The spacecraft successfully collected samples from Bennu's surface on October 20, 2020, using a mechanism called TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism).
3. OSIRIS-REx is expected to return its samples to Earth on September 24, 2023, allowing scientists to analyze the material for clues about the solar system's formation.
4. The mission employs various scientific instruments to analyze Bennu's surface composition and geological history, providing insights into potential asteroid resources.
5. OSIRIS-REx will contribute valuable data for understanding planetary defense against asteroid impacts and how future missions might utilize asteroid resources.

Review Questions

• How does the OSIRIS-REx mission contribute to our understanding of the early solar system?
  • The OSIRIS-REx mission contributes to our understanding of the early solar system by collecting samples from the carbon-rich asteroid Bennu. These samples are believed to contain organic compounds and materials that date back to the formation of the solar system. By analyzing these samples upon their return to Earth, scientists can gain insights into the processes that led to the emergence of life and the composition of primordial materials.
• Discuss the technological innovations used in the OSIRIS-REx mission and their significance in space exploration.
  • The OSIRIS-REx mission utilizes several technological innovations, including its TAGSAM system designed for sample collection and its suite of scientific instruments for remote sensing. The TAGSAM allowed for a precise touch-and-go maneuver to collect surface material without landing on Bennu. These technologies not only demonstrate advanced capabilities for sample return missions but also set a precedent for future explorations of other celestial bodies.
• Evaluate the potential implications of OSIRIS-REx's findings for future astrobiology research and planetary resource utilization.
  • The findings from OSIRIS-REx could significantly impact astrobiology research by providing evidence of organic materials that may be fundamental for understanding life's origins. Additionally, if Bennu's samples reveal valuable resources such as water or metals, it could pave the way for utilizing asteroids as resource hubs for future space missions. This dual impact highlights how OSIRIS-REx can enhance our knowledge of both life's possibilities in space and practical applications for human exploration.

Related terms

Bennu:

Bennu is a carbon-rich near-Earth asteroid targeted by the OSIRIS-REx mission, believed to contain organic compounds and materials from the early solar system.

Sample Return Mission: A type of space mission that involves collecting samples from celestial bodies and returning them to Earth for analysis, like the OSIRIS-REx mission.

Astrobiology:

The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe, which is significantly informed by findings from missions like OSIRIS-REx.