Watch the moment OSIRIS-REx tagged an asteroid to collect samples

On Tuesday this week, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft briefly touched down on the surface of asteroid Bennu to snatch a sample of the ancient pristine rock, and took off again. And now NASA has released images and video from the robot’s perspective.Contin… Continue reading Watch the moment OSIRIS-REx tagged an asteroid to collect samples

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx collects sample from surface of asteroid Bennu

In a truly remarkable feat of engineering, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx has scooped a sample of soil from the surface of asteroid Bennu, as it hurtles through space some 205 million miles from Earth. The spacecraft successfully touched the asteroid Bennu on Tuesd… Continue reading NASA’s OSIRIS-REx collects sample from surface of asteroid Bennu

Central void may be tearing asteroid Bennu apart

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx probe has been in orbit around asteroid Bennu for almost two years now, providing us with an unparalleled look at the surface of an asteroid. But what lurks below? New findings from its gravity field suggest Bennu’s core is less dense… Continue reading Central void may be tearing asteroid Bennu apart

Close inspection of asteroid Bennu reveals rocks cracking from sunlight

As NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft homes in on Bennu ahead of its sample collection later this year, the probe is continuing to reveal fascinating insights about the attributes of the primitive asteroid. Mission scientists are now reporting a long-suspect… Continue reading Close inspection of asteroid Bennu reveals rocks cracking from sunlight

OSIRIS-REx probe rehearses asteroid sampling from lowest altitude yet

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has been circling the primitive asteroid Bennu for more than a year now, with mission control gearing up for its sample collection maneuver later this year. The unmanned probe has ticked off another key milestone on this ep… Continue reading OSIRIS-REx probe rehearses asteroid sampling from lowest altitude yet

NASA pulls out incredibly high-res global map of asteroid Bennu

With OSIRIS-REx in close orbit around Bennu, we’ve already seen some pretty amazing up-close shots of the asteroid. And now, NASA has released a full global map of this rocky little world in unprecedented resolution.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, Sci… Continue reading NASA pulls out incredibly high-res global map of asteroid Bennu