NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has recalibrated its trajectory to ensure the secure delivery of an asteroid sample to Earth on September 24, prior to embarking on its subsequent mission to asteroid Apophis.
On September 10, the spacecraft briefly activated its ACS (Attitude Control System) thrusters to orient itself toward our planet. This maneuver places the spacecraft on a path to release its sample capsule—which contains rocks and dust from asteroid Bennu—at an altitude of 63,000 miles (or approximately 102,000 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface on September 24.
The trajectory correction performed yesterday altered the spacecraft’s velocity by approximately one-half mile per hour (less than 1 kilometer per hour) in relation to Earth. Absent this minor but pivotal adjustment, the spacecraft and its sample payload would have bypassed Earth altogether.
A graphic demonstrates the Earth-return path for OSIRIS-REx and the sample capsule, indicating planned maneuvers that subtly modify the spacecraft’s trajectory, first to approach Earth, then to align with it, and finally to hover above it. This information is credited to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Now, the spacecraft is primed to discharge the capsule so that it enters Earth’s atmosphere off the coast of California at precisely 8:42 a.m. MDT / 10:42 a.m. EDT. Adhering to a specific speed and angle, the capsule is expected to land within 13 minutes in a designated area measuring 36 miles by 8.5 miles (58 kilometers by 14 kilometers) at the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range, located to the southwest of Salt Lake City.
Approximately 20 minutes after the capsule’s release, the spacecraft will ignite its engines to change course, bypassing Earth en route to its next mission, the exploration of asteroid Apophis, under the mission name OSIRIS-APEX (OSIRIS-Apophis Explorer).
The spacecraft might activate its thrusters once more on September 17 should engineers find that an additional minor course adjustment is required prior to the capsule’s release a week later.
Currently, the spacecraft is approximately 4 million miles (about 7 million kilometers) distant from Earth and is advancing at a speed of roughly 14,000 miles per hour (approximately 23,000 kilometers per hour).
Launched on September 8, 2016, OSIRIS-REx arrived at its destination, asteroid Bennu, on December 3, 2018. Following comprehensive mapping and trial operations, the spacecraft successfully gathered a sample from Bennu’s surface during a “Touch-And-Go” (TAG) operation on October 20, 2020. Nearly five years into its journey, OSIRIS-REx engaged its primary engines at full capacity for seven minutes on May 10, 2021, to initiate its Earth-bound course, carrying an estimated 8.8 ounces of rocky material from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. The capsule is slated to deliver the first asteroid sample from a U.S. mission to Earth on September 24.
Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/CI Lab/SVS
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about OSIRIS-REx_trajectory_modification
What was the purpose of the trajectory modification for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft?
The purpose of the trajectory modification was to ensure that the spacecraft is on the correct course to successfully return an asteroid sample to Earth on September 24. This is crucial for the mission’s objectives, and without this adjustment, the spacecraft and its sample payload would have missed Earth.
When did OSIRIS-REx execute the trajectory correction?
The trajectory correction was executed on September 10. The spacecraft briefly activated its Attitude Control System (ACS) thrusters to reorient itself toward Earth.
What will happen on September 24?
On September 24, OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to release its sample capsule containing rocks and dust from asteroid Bennu. The capsule will enter Earth’s atmosphere and is planned to land at the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range.
What is the significance of the spacecraft’s velocity change?
The velocity of the spacecraft was altered by approximately one-half mile per hour (less than 1 kilometer per hour) in relation to Earth. Although this seems minor, it is a critical adjustment required for the successful Earth return of the asteroid sample.
What is the spacecraft’s next mission after the sample return?
After the sample capsule is released and secured, the spacecraft will ignite its engines to divert its course and proceed to its next mission—exploring asteroid Apophis under the mission name OSIRIS-APEX.
How far is the spacecraft from Earth at present?
As of the report, the spacecraft is approximately 4 million miles (about 7 million kilometers) away from Earth and is advancing at a speed of roughly 14,000 miles per hour (approximately 23,000 kilometers per hour).
When was OSIRIS-REx launched and what are its key milestones?
OSIRIS-REx was launched on September 8, 2016. It reached asteroid Bennu on December 3, 2018, and successfully gathered a sample from Bennu’s surface on October 20, 2020. It initiated its return journey to Earth on May 10, 2021.
More about OSIRIS-REx_trajectory_modification
- NASA’s Official OSIRIS-REx Mission Page
- Goddard Space Flight Center’s OSIRIS-REx Updates
- Detailed Timeline of OSIRIS-REx Mission
- Overview of Asteroid Bennu
- Upcoming Mission to Asteroid Apophis
- Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range
- NASA’s Earth Return Missions
- The Importance of Trajectory Correction in Space Missions
6 comments
Fascinating to see how advanced our space tech is. This kind of innovation drives whole industries. good for the economy too, I guess.
hope they follow all safety protocols for Earth return. Last thing we need is an alien microbe hitching a ride back.
Isn’t it just mindblowing how they can predict where exactly the capsule will land? I mean, a 36-mile by 8.5-mile landing zone? precision at its finest.
Super excited about this mission. these asteroid samples could be like time capsules, y’know? So much we could learn.
Really in depth article. The little details like speed adjustments show how complex these missions are. hats off to the engineers.
Wow, this is incredible stuff. NASA’s always pushing boundaries. cant wait to see what they find on Apophis!