101955 Bennu: The OSIRIS-REx Mission and Its Significance
The OSIRIS-REx mission is a NASA spacecraft mission that was launched in 2016 to explore an asteroid known as 101955 Bennu. The mission’s goal is to collect a sample of Bennu’s surface material and return it to Earth for analysis. This mission is significant because it will provide scientists with a wealth of information about the early Solar System and the formation of planets.
About OSIRIS-REx
The OSIRIS-REx mission was launched on September 8, 2016, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft traveled for two years before arriving at its destination, 101955 Bennu, in December 2018. The mission is named after its primary instruments: the OSIRIS camera, which is used to map the asteroid’s surface, and the TAGSAM (Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism), which is used to collect a sample of the asteroid’s surface material.
Mapping the Asteroid
One of the primary goals of the OSIRIS-REx mission is to map Bennu’s surface in detail. The spacecraft is equipped with a suite of instruments, including the OSIRIS camera, which is capable of imaging the asteroid’s surface at high resolution. By mapping the asteroid’s surface, scientists hope to learn more about its composition, topography, and geology. This information can provide clues about the formation and evolution of the asteroid and the early Solar System.
Collecting a Sample
The other major goal of the OSIRIS-REx mission is to collect a sample of Bennu’s surface material and return it to Earth. To accomplish this, the spacecraft will use its TAGSAM instrument to gently collect a small amount of material from the asteroid’s surface. The sample will be stored in a capsule and returned to Earth, where scientists will be able to analyze it in detail.
Significance of the Mission
The OSIRIS-REx mission is significant for several reasons. First, it will provide scientists with a wealth of information about the early Solar System and the formation of planets. Asteroids like Bennu are thought to be some of the oldest objects in the Solar System, and studying them can provide insights into the conditions that existed during the formation of the Solar System.
Second, the mission will help scientists better understand the composition and structure of asteroids. Asteroids are believed to contain a wealth of resources, including metals and water, which could be valuable for space exploration and colonization. By studying Bennu, scientists will be able to learn more about the distribution and abundance of these resources.
Finally, the OSIRIS-REx mission is significant because it will help scientists better understand the potential impact of asteroids on Earth. Bennu is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid, meaning that it has a small chance of colliding with Earth in the future. By studying the asteroid in detail, scientists will be able to learn more about its trajectory and the potential risks it poses to our planet.
