NASA's OSIRIS-REx Successfully Performs Sample Collection Drill

This artist’s concept shows the trajectory and configuration of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft during Checkpoint rehearsal, which is the first time the mission practiced the initial steps for collecting a sample from asteroid Bennu. Credits: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

NASA's OSIRIS-REx is now a step closer to touching the surface of asteroid Bennu after it successfully performed the sample collection maneuver on 14 April. The spacecraft performed the first practice drill - "Checkpoint rehearsal" - where the spacecraft reached an altitude of 75 meters from the surface of the asteroid.

During the first practice run, OSIRIS-REx performed two of the four maneuvers for an actual sample collection. The two maneuvers included -

1. The orbit departure burn.
2. The "Checkpoint" burn.  

Firstly, the spacecraft de-orbited from its 0.6 mile ( 1 km) safe-home orbit to descend to the surface of the asteroid. After the four hour descend the spacecraft reached an altitude of 125 meter where it performed its checkpoint burn, taking it on the trajectory for the third maneuver - the "Matchpoint" burn. After a nine minute descend the spacecraft reached an altitude of 75 meters from the surface. Rather than performing the third maneuver, OSIRIS-REx returned back to the orbit.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft captured this series of images of asteroid Bennu on April 14, 2020, during the first rehearsal of the mission's sample collection event. This animation shows the SamCam instrument's field of view as the spacecraft approached and moved away from the asteroid's surface over a 10-minute time period between the "checkpoint" burn and the "back-away" burn. The spacecraft's sampling arm — called the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) — is visible in the central part of the frame. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona)

    
During the descent, OSIRIS-REx also successfully deployed its sampling arm - the Touch And Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) - from its folded position out to sample collection configuration.

It must be noted that the rehearsal drill on 14th April (Tuesday) was done without any issues despite the fact that many NASA employees were forced to work from home due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“This rehearsal let us verify flight system performance during the descent, particularly the autonomous update and execution of the Checkpoint burn,” said Rich Burns, OSIRIS-REx project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “Executing this monumental milestone during this time of national crisis is a testament to the professionalism and focus of our team. It speaks volumes about their ‘can-do’ attitude and hopefully will serve as a bit of good news in these challenging times.”

OSIRIS-REx has been in orbit around asteroid Bennu since 2018. The spacecraft is scheduled to touchdown at the sample collection site named Nightingale on August 25. OSIRIS-REx is schedule to return the sample to Earth on September 24, 2023.