258-Sample Asteroid Bennu in 360

PHA Bennu imaged by Osiris-REx right before arrival. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

NASA’s first asteroid sample return mission, OSIRIS-REx, will make a daring attempt to “TAG” asteroid Bennu on Oct. 20 – touch its surface and collect a sample for return to Earth. Experience the sample collection event in 360 and watch as OSIRIS-REx contacts the rocky surface of sample site Nightingale on Asteroid Bennu.

A mass of gravel and dirt ejected from the surface of asteroid Bennu by the touchdown of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx probe. (Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/CI Lab/Jonathan North)

The highlight of the OSIRIS-REx mission occurred in October 2020, when the spacecraft executed a “Touch-And-Go” (TAG) maneuver with Bennu. During this intricate operation, the spacecraft briefly touched the asteroid’s surface to collect a sample.