The image illustrates NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft just moments after it dispatched a capsule containing asteroid samples aimed for Earth. Credit goes to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Doppler measurements confirm that NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully released its sample capsule aimed for Earth at 6:42 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (4:42 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time). This event took place at a distance of approximately 63,000 miles from Earth, roughly a third of the distance to the Moon.
Upon journeying approximately four hours through outer space, the capsule is anticipated to penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere near the coast of California at around 10:42 a.m. EDT (8:42 a.m. MDT). From there, it will continue eastward, culminating in a landing roughly 13 minutes later within a pre-allocated 36-mile by 8.5-mile region on the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range, near Salt Lake City.
Characterized by its flatness and sparse vegetation, this military range spans about 1.5 million predominantly uninhabited acres in the Great Salt Lake desert. The airspace above is largely restricted to non-commercial aircraft, making it an exemplary landing site. A sample capsule from NASA’s Stardust mission, containing particles from the comet Wild 2, had also landed on this Utah range in 2006.
OSIRIS-REx stands as NASA’s inaugural mission for the return of asteroid samples. It was initiated in September 2016 with the objective of investigating a near-Earth asteroid named Bennu. In October 2020, the spacecraft approached Bennu’s surface to collect roughly 250 grams of asteroid material for transportation back to Earth. The mission is set to culminate on September 24, 2023, when OSIRIS-REx will release a capsule harboring samples from Bennu for a scheduled landing in the Utah desert. Credit goes to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab.
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Preliminary Approvals and Planning Steps
Approximately one hour before the capsule’s release, a critical meeting was held among the team members. The lead engineers and military personnel reached a unanimous consensus after rigorously assessing an array of pivotal factors:
- Could the capsule touch down within its predetermined landing zone? The team confirmed that it could.
- Were the most recent estimates for peak thermal exposure and deceleration rates for the spacecraft consistent with expectations? The assessment was affirmative.
- Was the spacecraft prepared to both release the capsule and subsequently alter its trajectory away from Earth? The answer was positive.
- Was the entire team poised for the tasks at hand? Affirmative.
- Was the designated landing area ascertained to be clear? It was verified as such.
Following this, technicians at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Support Area in Denver issued the vital commands for OSIRIS-REx to dispatch the capsule at the designated time of approximately 6:42 a.m. EDT (4:42 a.m. MDT).
NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) marks the United States’ first mission to convey asteroid samples back to Earth. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will dispatch the sample capsule for a secure landing in the Utah desert. The untarnished samples from Bennu, consisting of rocks and dust gathered in 2020, are expected to provide researchers for generations to come with insights into the epoch when our solar system was in its formative stage around 4.5 billion years ago. Credit goes to NASA.
NASA will commence its live broadcast of the OSIRIS-REx capsule’s arrival starting at 10 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. MDT) on Sunday, September 24. The coverage will be accessible via NASA TV, the NASA application, and the agency’s official website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about OSIRIS-REx Earthbound Sample Capsule
What is the OSIRIS-REx mission?
The OSIRIS-REx mission is NASA’s first endeavor to return samples from an asteroid to Earth. The spacecraft was launched in September 2016 to explore a near-Earth asteroid called Bennu. In October 2020, it collected about 250 grams of material from the asteroid.
Where will the sample capsule land?
The sample capsule is slated to land in a predetermined area within the Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range, near Salt Lake City. This range was chosen due to its flat terrain and restricted airspace, making it an ideal landing location.
When is the capsule expected to enter Earth’s atmosphere?
The capsule is expected to enter Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 10:42 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8:42 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time) off the coast of California, and then head eastward toward its landing site in Utah.
What crucial steps took place before the sample capsule’s release?
Before releasing the capsule, a critical briefing was held involving lead engineers and military personnel. They unanimously agreed on several key criteria such as the capsule’s landing target, peak thermal exposure, and deceleration rates. Subsequently, commands for the capsule’s release were transmitted from Lockheed Martin’s Mission Support Area in Denver.
What will happen to the samples from Bennu?
The samples collected from Bennu’s surface will offer researchers unprecedented insights into the formation period of our solar system, approximately 4.5 billion years ago. These samples will be closely analyzed to broaden our understanding of the solar system’s early history.
How can I watch the capsule’s landing?
NASA will provide live coverage of the OSIRIS-REx capsule’s landing, starting at 10 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. MDT) on Sunday, September 24. The broadcast will be available on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s official website.
Was this a solo mission by NASA or were other organizations involved?
While NASA spearheads the mission, Lockheed Martin’s Mission Support Area in Denver played a role in transmitting the crucial release commands for the capsule. The landing site is also within the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, making this a collaborative effort.
More about OSIRIS-REx Earthbound Sample Capsule
- NASA’s Official OSIRIS-REx Mission Page
- Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab
- Department of Defense’s Utah Test and Training Range
- NASA TV Live Broadcast
- Lockheed Martin’s Mission Support Area in Denver
- Overview of NASA’s Asteroid Missions
- NASA’s Official Press Release on the Sample Capsule Release
7 comments
so this is landing in Utah, huh? Hope they’ve cleared the airspace, don’t want any accidental UFO sightings haha.
Interesting that they chose Utah, again. Reminds me of the Stardust mission back in 2006. History repeating itself maybe?
Wow, cant believe we’re actually bringin asteroid samples back to Earth! This is next level stuff. kudos to NASA and everyone involved.
The possibilities for research are just astounding! 4.5 billion year old samples? its like a time machine for science!
Bennu samples, finally! Been waiting for this since the mission launched. What a time to be alive.
Lockheed Martin in the mix, not surprising. They’re always up to cool stuff with NASA.
I hope this mission was eco-friendly. With all these space expeditions, we need to think about sustainability to.