NASA’s OSIRIS-REx: Mission to Bennu

The Osiris Rex mission aims to collect a sample from asteroid Bennu and return it to Earth. The spacecraft launched in 2016, performed a gravity assist in 2017, and began its approach to Bennu in 2018. It conducted detailed mapping and reconnaissance to select a sample site. In 2020, Osiris Rex collected the sample using a touch-and-go mechanism. The sample will return to Earth in 2023, providing insights into the early solar system and the origins of life.

What technology did Osiris Rex use to collect samples from Bennu?

What are the steps taken by Osiris Rex after collecting the sample from Bennu?

How will the collected samples from Bennu contribute to scientific research?