NASA asteroid sampling spacecraft to see ‘mess it caused’ on Bennu

In October 2020, NASA Osiris-Rex spacecraft took a bite out of asteroid Bennu. Before Osiris-Rex returns to Earth to deliver his bounty, he will revisit the robbery scene. The spacecraft will perform a final, very close flyby over Bennu on Wednesday to find out “the extent of the mess he made,” NASA said.

Osiris-Rex was a bit greedy during the sample capture operation, picking up a gravel overflow which needed to be put away sooner than expected. This left a mark on the asteroid.

“The Osiris-Rex team decided to add this latest flyby after Bennu’s surface was significantly disturbed by the sample collection event,” NASA said. “During touchdown, the spacecraft’s sample head sank 1.6 feet (48.8 centimeters) into the asteroid’s surface and simultaneously fired a pressurized charge of nitrogen gas.” The thrusters fired to drive Osiris-Rex away also disturbed the surface.

NASA has scheduled the flyby for April 7 with the aim of capturing images of the collection site from a distance close to just 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers).

Osiris-Rex will continue to hang out at Bennu until May 10, when he begins a two-year return trip to Earth. Bennu’s pieces will be delivered to scientists via a sample return capsule dropped by the spacecraft.

In the meantime, NASA will be able to compare the before and after images of the sample site to see how Osiris-Rex left a tattoo on Bennu.

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