NASA | OSIRIS-REx Investigates Asteroid Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx mission, led by NASA, aims to study the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Launched in 2016, the spacecraft arrived at Bennu in 2018 to survey its surface and collect samples. The mission uses advanced instruments like high-resolution cameras and spectrometers to analyze Bennu's composition. In 2019, OSIRIS-REx collected samples using the TAGSAM mechanism, which will be returned to Earth in 2023 for further study. This mission is a collaboration between the University of Arizona, NASA, and Lockheed Martin, providing insights into the solar system's history and the origins of life.

What is the primary objective of the Osiris Rex mission?

• To explore the surface of Mars

• To study the Sun's atmosphere

• To survey the asteroid Bennu

• To map the Milky Way galaxy

Which instruments are part of the Osiris Rex payload for remote sensing?

• Ultrasound scanners and MRI machines

• High-resolution cameras and LIDAR

• Weather balloons and barometers

• Radio telescopes and seismographs

What mechanism does Osiris Rex use to collect samples from Bennu?

• TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism)

• Drilling rig

• Robotic arm

• Magnetic scoop

Why is the sample from Bennu significant for scientists?

• It will be sold to collectors

• It will help build new spacecraft

• It can be used as a fuel source

• It may contain clues to the origins of life

Which organizations are involved in the Osiris Rex mission?

• Harvard University and Blue Origin

• University of Arizona, NASA, and Lockheed Martin

• European Space Agency and SpaceX

• MIT and Boeing