US space agency NASA’s spacecraft OSIRIS-REX is set to hit the Asteroid Bennu’s surface after a long orbit. This spacecraft was specially sent to fetch the sample from the asteroid. The vehicle reached the orbit of Bennu in December 2018 but it had to wait for almost two years for it to land.
Will try first on October 20
NASA said The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REX) will make its first attempt on October 20 to sample from the spacecraft surface. NASA Associate Administrator of Science Thomas Zurbuchen said that the OSIRIS-REX spacecraft has faced unexpected challenges during its journey so far.
Had to face many challenges
He said that the spacecraft faced many challenges when it reached the nearest orbit of Asteroid Bennu and discovered its active surface. Scientists associated with it last month brought the spacecraft 213 feet (65 m) above the asteroid’s surface during sample collection rehearsals.
Mission delayed due to Corona
When the spacecraft is ready to take a sample from Bennu’s surface, the team involved is facing a different type of challenge on Earth. It has been decided to provide additional time for the final rehearsal and sample collection program to scientists associated with the mission at the NASA Center due to Coronavirus infection.
Piece of bennu will come to earth
Through the OSIRIS-REX spacecraft, scientists will bring a piece of Bennu to Earth for study. If everything goes well, the spacecraft will return to Earth in September 2023. Scientists from Canada have also worked with US scientists in this mission.
