U of A Asteroid Mission: From Hectic Year to Serene Space Cruise

U of A Asteroid Mission: From Hectic Year to Serene Space Cruise

The University of Arizona has been at the forefront of humanity’s ambitious quest to understand our solar system, none more so than with the OSIRIS-REx mission. Spearheaded by the U of A’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, this pioneering endeavor set out to do the unprecedented: collect a sample from an asteroid and bring it back to Earth. What began as years of meticulous planning quickly transformed into a high-stakes, “hectic year” of nail-biting maneuvers and ingenious problem-solving as the team navigated the unexpected complexities of asteroid Bennu. Now, with the precious cargo securely on its way, the mission has shifted gears, settling into a “serene space cruise” as it makes its triumphant return home, poised to deliver invaluable insights into our cosmic origins.

The hectic genesis: OSIRIS-REx’s audacious beginnings

The OSIRIS-REx mission, an acronym for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer, was always designed to push the boundaries of space exploration. Launched in 2016, its primary target was Bennu, a carbonaceous asteroid believed to be a time capsule from the early solar system. Upon arrival at Bennu in 2018, however, the mission team faced immediate, unforeseen challenges. Far from the smooth, sandy surface models suggested, Bennu proved to be a chaotic, boulder-strewn landscape. This rocky terrain presented a significant hurdle for the planned sample collection, which required the spacecraft’s Touch-And-Go (TAG) arm to make contact with a relatively clear patch. The search for a safe sampling site became an intense, “hectic year”-long endeavor, demanding unprecedented levels of precision mapping and hazard assessment from the U of A-led team.

Securing the celestial treasure: The high-stakes sample collection

The climax of the “hectic year” arrived on October 20, 2020, with the attempted TAG maneuver. After meticulously identifying “Nightingale” as the safest, albeit still treacherous, sampling site, OSIRIS-REx executed its daring descent. The spacecraft successfully touched Bennu’s surface for a mere six seconds, firing nitrogen gas to agitate and collect material. However, the mission’s drama was far from over. Telemetry data indicated that a Mylar flap designed to seal the sample collection head had been wedged open by larger rocks, leading to a slow leakage of the precious asteroid material into space. What ensued was a frantic, expert-driven effort to quickly stow the sample collector within the return capsule ahead of schedule, preventing further loss. This critical, high-pressure operation, executed flawlessly by the ground team, secured what scientists believe is the largest asteroid sample ever collected.

The long goodbye: A tranquil journey home

Following the successful, if dramatic, stowage of the Bennu sample, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft bid farewell to the asteroid on May 10, 2021. This departure marked a profound shift in the mission’s pace and character. Gone were the intense close-proximity operations, the constant hazard avoidance, and the nail-biting maneuvers. The spacecraft entered a new phase: a “serene space cruise” spanning over two years and covering more than 1.2 billion miles. During this long journey home, the U of A team and NASA personnel primarily monitor the spacecraft’s health, trajectory, and systems. The cruise phase is relatively calm, focused on maintaining a precise course for its rendezvous with Earth. This tranquility allows for detailed analysis of the mission’s past data and meticulous preparation for the final, critical step: the sample return to Earth.

Bennu’s whispered secrets: Awaiting earthfall

The culmination of over a decade of dedication will arrive on September 24, 2023, when the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule parachutes down to the Utah Test and Training Range. This final act will transition the mission from a space exploration endeavor to a terrestrial scientific goldmine. The University of Arizona remains at the heart of this post-return phase, with researchers eagerly anticipating the chance to study Bennu’s pristine material. This sample, potentially weighing over 60 grams, promises to unlock fundamental secrets about the formation of our solar system, the origins of water and organic molecules on Earth, and the potential for asteroids to deliver life’s building blocks. The detailed analysis will be a monumental task, involving state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborations worldwide, with the U of A’s scientific community playing a central role in deciphering Bennu’s ancient whispers.

The journey of the OSIRIS-REx mission, from its ambitious inception to its imminent return, encapsulates the spirit of scientific discovery and human ingenuity. What began with the “hectic year” of navigating Bennu’s unexpected challenges and executing a high-stakes sample collection maneuver has gracefully transitioned into a “serene space cruise” across the vast expanse between Bennu and Earth. The University of Arizona’s leadership has steered this mission through moments of intense pressure and meticulous planning, culminating in the secure transport of an unprecedented sample. As the capsule prepares for its Earthfall, the anticipation for new discoveries is palpable. This asteroid material promises to revolutionize our understanding of cosmic origins, providing a tangible link to the earliest days of our solar system and fueling generations of scientific inquiry. The legacy of OSIRIS-REx, born from challenge and culminating in triumph, will undoubtedly resonate for decades to come.

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