Arriving at Asteroid Bennu

The Osiris Rex mission aims to study asteroid Bennu, a remnant from the early solar system, to understand its geology and potential for life. Launched in 2016, the spacecraft reached Bennu in 2018, performing maneuvers to orbit and survey the asteroid. The mission involves mapping Bennu's surface, identifying safe sampling sites, and collecting samples using the TAGSAM mechanism. These samples will return to Earth in 2023 for detailed analysis, providing insights into the solar system's formation and the origins of life.

How will the samples collected from Bennu contribute to our understanding of life in the solar system?

What challenges does the spacecraft face while orbiting in the low gravity environment of the asteroid?

What are the expected outcomes of the preliminary survey conducted upon arrival at Bennu?