NASA’s groundbreaking mission, Osiris-Rex, has reached a crucial phase in its journey as it prepares to deliver a sample of an asteroid it ‘swiped’ from space. This momentous occasion marks a significant stride in space exploration and the study of our solar system’s origins.

Launched in September 2016, the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (Osiris-Rex) had one primary goal: to reach the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, survey it, collect samples, and return them to Earth. As an asteroid believed to be rich in carbonaceous material from the early solar system, Bennu provides a pristine window into the organic compounds that may have contributed to life on Earth.

In October 2020, Osiris-Rex achieved a spectacular feat when it successfully touched down on Bennu in a “Touch-And-Go” (TAG) maneuver. During this high-stakes procedure, the spacecraft extended its robotic arm to the surface of the asteroid for a few seconds, releasing a burst of nitrogen gas to agitate and lift particles into the sampler head.

The mission team carefully planned this event after extensive study of Bennu’s rocky terrain. The tag spot was named “Nightingale,” located within a relatively boulder-free region; nevertheless, the precision required to ensure Osiris-Rex’s arm would touch down in exactly the right place was unparalleled in NASA history.

Upon contact with Bennu’s surface, initial indications suggested that the movement of materials had exceeded expectations—so much so that particles were observed escaping from the sampler head. This led the mission team to expedite plans to stow away the collected samples and secure them for their voyage back to our planet.

The methodical journey back to Earth is set for 2023 when Osiris-Rex will release the Sample Return Capsule (SRC) containing Bennu’s extraterrestrial fragments. Upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, parachutes will deploy to guide the SRC safely down to Utah’s Test and Training Range.

Scientists worldwide are waiting with bated breath as this sample holds unprecedented potential—possibly providing answers about water and organics’ role in our solar system’s formative times. The material will be analyzed using state-of-the-art technology unable to be sent into space due to its size and complexity.

As NASA’s Osiris-Rex concludes its historic mission by delivering asteroid samples back home, it doesn’t just bring back physical matter; it carries with it hopes and questions that have lingered since humanity first looked up at the stars—questions about our past and maybe even clues about our future.