- NASA’s OSIRIS-REx, a collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne, marks a historic return of the US’s first asteroid sample from Bennu.
- The mission showcases advanced aerospace technologies and sets the stage for future space exploration endeavors.
September 25, 2023, UTAH TEST AND TRAINING RANGE, Utah, In a monumental achievement for the aerospace industry, NASA’s Lockheed Martin-constructed OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, powered by Aerojet Rocketdyne’s advanced propulsion systems, has successfully delivered the United States’ inaugural asteroid sample from Bennu back to our planet.
“Congratulations to the OSIRIS-REx team on a picture-perfect mission – the first American asteroid sample return in history – which will deepen our understanding of the origin of our solar system and its formation. Not to mention, Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid, and what we learn from the sample will help us better understand the types of asteroids that could come our way,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “With OSIRIS-REx, Psyche launch in a couple of weeks, DART’s one-year anniversary, and Lucy’s first asteroid approach in November, Asteroid Autumn is in full swing.”
The Bennu sample – an estimated 8.8 ounces, or 250 grams – will be transported in its unopened canister by aircraft to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Curation scientists there will disassemble the canister, extract and weigh the sample, create an inventory of the rocks and dust, and, over time, distribute pieces of Bennu to scientists worldwide.
The sample, meticulously collected from the asteroid’s surface, promises to offer unparalleled insights into the origins of our solar system, dating back 4.5 billion years. Such revelations could have profound implications for our understanding of space and the potential for life beyond Earth.
“Our propulsion was invaluable in propelling and steering the spacecraft, as well as returning it safely to Earth,” said Ross Niebergall, President, Aerojet Rocketdyne. “The successful completion of the mission highlights the reliability and performance of our in-space propulsion products.”
Advanced Exploration Technology Testbed: The OSIRIS-REx mission has been at the forefront of pioneering key technologies crucial for future exploration of small celestial bodies in our solar system. These innovations include:
- Microgravity Operations: The mission introduced specific techniques tailored for operating in microgravity environments.
- Autonomous Guidance: The spacecraft utilized Natural Feature Tracking for autonomous guidance to the surface of Bennu.
- Unique Sample Collection: Lockheed Martin’s invention, the reverse-vacuum Touch and Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), enabled a unique method of collecting samples from the asteroid.
Following the successful return of the sample, the spacecraft is set to embark on its next journey. Renamed OSIRIS-APEX, it will now target the near-Earth asteroid Apophis.
Reflecting on the mission’s milestones:
- The spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 8, 2016.
- It arrived at Bennu on December 3, 2018, and conducted an extensive two-year survey.
- A significant “tagging” event on October 20, 2020, saw the spacecraft extract a sample from Bennu.
- The spacecraft departed Bennu to return to Earth on May 10, 2021.
Lockheed Martin’s expertise was evident in the spacecraft’s design and operational capabilities. “The landing was safe, recovery was a huge success, and we’re thrilled that the next phase of this mission can now begin,” said Kyle Griffin, vice president and general manager of Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin. “This particular sample return is monumental – scientists are about to open a time capsule with some of the earliest history of our solar system inside.”
The mission also showcased several technological firsts, including the TAGSAM (Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) and Natural Feature Tracking (NFT), both crucial for the mission’s success. These innovations not only highlight Lockheed Martin’s and Aerojet Rocketdyne’s prowess but also set new standards for future aerospace missions.
