Planets and Moons ID: 13744

OSIRIS-REx Post-TAG Briefing

Released on October 21, 2020

NASA is hosting a press briefing on Oct. 21 to unveil new videos of the OSIRIS-REx sample collection attempt.
The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft unfurled its robotic arm on Oct. 20, and in a first for the agency, briefly touched an asteroid to collect dust and pebbles from the surface for delivery to Earth in 2023.

This well-preserved, ancient asteroid, known as Bennu, is currently more than 200 million miles (321 million kilometers) from Earth. Bennu offers scientists a window into the early solar system as it was first taking shape billions of years ago and flinging ingredients that could have helped seed life on Earth. If the sample collection event, known as “Touch-And-Go” (TAG), provided enough of a sample, mission teams will command the spacecraft to begin stowing the precious primordial cargo to begin its journey back to Earth in March 2021.

1. Burns - TAGSAM Explained

OSIRIS-REx descended to the surface of asteroid Bennu to collect a sample of fine-grained material from site Nightingale using its TAGSAM instrument.

Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab

3. Burns - Backaway

After collecting the sample of Bennu, OSIRIS-REx fired its thrusters and backed away to a safe distance from the asteroid.

Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab/SVS

1. Freund - Sample Imaging Verification

OSIRIS-REx will use its SamCam instrument to visually inspect the TAGSAM head and verify sample collection.

Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab

2. Freund - Sample Mass Measurement

To measure the mass of the collected sample, OSIRIS-REx will extend its TAGSAM arm and perform a spin maneuver.

Credit: NASA/Goddard/CI Lab

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Source Material

For More Information

NASA.gov

Credits

NASA Administrator:
James Bridenstine (NASA/HQ)

Host:
Nancy Neal-Jones (NASA/GSFC)

Presenters:
Thomas H. Zurbuchen (NASA/HQ)
Dante Lauretta (The University of Arizona)
Rich Burns (NASA/GSFC)
Sandra Freund (Lockheed Martin)

Director:
Michael Starobin (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)

Lead Graphics:
Dan Gallagher (USRA)

Graphic Designer:
Heather Roper (The University of Arizona)

Floor Director:
Rani Gran (NASA/GSFC)

Technical Director:
John Caldwell (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)

Audio Technician:
Mike Velle (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)

Technical Support:
Pat Kennedy (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET Systems, Inc.)

Support:
Erin Morton (The University of Arizona)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center