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.

What is the primary goal of the Osiris Rex mission?

• To explore the surface of Mars

• To collect samples from asteroid Bennu

• To study the atmosphere of Venus

• To map the surface of the Moon

Why are asteroids like Bennu important for scientific study?

• They are closer to Earth than the Moon

• They contain large amounts of gold

• They are remnants from the early solar system

• They have a similar atmosphere to Earth

What is the significance of returning a sample from Bennu to Earth?

• To sell it to private collectors

• To understand the solar system's formation

• To analyze it for potential life forms

• To use it as a fuel source

How did the Osiris Rex spacecraft adjust its orbit to match Bennu's?

• By using a Jupiter flyby

• By using an Earth flyby

• By using a Mars flyby

• By using a Moon flyby

What technique is used to navigate the Osiris Rex spacecraft towards Bennu?

• Magnetic navigation

• Radar navigation

• Optical navigation

• Acoustic navigation

What is the TAGSAM mechanism used for?

• To power the spacecraft

• To launch the spacecraft

• To collect samples from Bennu

• To communicate with Earth

Where is the sample from Bennu expected to land on Earth?

• In the Sahara Desert

• In the Utah Desert

• In the Amazon Rainforest

• In the Arctic Circle