This series of images taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft shows Bennu in one full rotation from a distance of around 50 miles (80 km). The spacecraft’s PolyCam camera obtained the thirty-six 2.2-millisecond frames over a period of four hours and 18 minutes.
Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/University of Arizona
ARRIVAL: Since September of 2016, we've been waiting for this day - the arrival of a NASA mission to asteroid Bennu.
We put our names on board the mission, (OSIRIS-REx) a first of its kind. Not only will a probe be landing on an asteroid, but it will be sampling its 'soil' and returning that sample to Earth!
The probe traveled for more than two years and over two billion kilometers,
OSIRIS-REx is an acronym for NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorerspacecraft. The spacecraft will spend almost a year surveying the asteroid with five scientific instruments. The observations will result in the selection of a location that is safe and scientifically interesting to collect a sample. Plans call for OSIRIS-REx to return the sample to Earth in September 2023.
DEPARTURE: This morning, I watched a launch of a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base. It was unlike any other launch I've ever witnessed, as a friend was onboard.
James Eberling was a fellow space and sports geek. We 'met' online via numerous other space-y friends.
James was a firecracker. I loved talking sports with him! He was so competitive! And he was my go-to guy when I saw a plane I couldn't ID. James could always tell me all about it.
Unfortunately, James' body wasn't as robust as his spirit. He left this Earth at 36. His family made sure to see that he soared in the afterlife. Today, part of James launched on a SpaceX flight! He's on a cube sat(ellite) that should be in orbit for about four years. As an added bonus, his grandfather is also on the journey. Awesome! It would make James so happy!
It was a beautiful launch. Fly freely, my friend!
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