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 OSIRIS-REx OverviewIn DepthMedia ResourcesFAQsExplore This SectionOSIRIS-REx OverviewIn DepthMedia ResourcesFAQsA white triangle with a blue inner border. In the middle is a round, grey lump, with a red swoosh wrapped around it. An object with wings hovers over the lump on its top left. Underneath this scene, is the mission name, and underneath that is a brief description of it.OSIRIS-RExOrigins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Exploreractive MissionLEARN MOREIn-DepthFrequently asked questionsWhy Study Bennu?2023 Sample Delivery updatesVisit OSIRIS-REx BlogAn artistic visualization of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft hovering above the surface of Asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft is silver, shiny with two wings on the top and a long extension from the bottom.OSIRIS-REx is the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid. It returned to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023, to drop off material from asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft didn't land, but continued on to a new mission, OSIRIS-APEX, to explore asteroid Apophis. Meanwhile, scientists hope the Bennu sample OSIRIS-REx dropped into the Utah desert will offer clues to whether asteroids colliding with Earth billions of years ago brought water and other key ingredients for life here.Mission TypeSample ReturnDestinationAsteroid Bennusample DELIVEREDSept. 24, 2023ObjectiveCollect asteroid sample and deliver it to EarthOverviewLaunched on Sept. 8, 2016, the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx, spacecraft traveled to a near-Earth asteroid named Bennu (formerly 1999 RQ36) and collected a sample of rocks and dust from the surface.The spacecraft delivered the sample to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023. It released the capsule holding pieces of Bennu over Earth’s atmosphere. The capsule parachuted to the Department of Defense's Utah Test and Training Range, where the OSIRIS-REx team was waiting to retrieve it.This mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.OSIRIS-REx BlogVisit the OSIRIS-REx BlogPerson in cleanroom suit attached a tool to the TAGSAM from outside of the protective barrierNASA’s OSIRIS-REx Team Clears Hurdle to Access Remaining Bennu SampleCuration team members at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston have successfully removed the two fasteners from the sampler head that had prevented the remainder of OSIRIS-REx’s asteroid Bennu sample material from being accessed.Read Morered, blue and grey OSIRIS-REx logoNASA’s OSIRIS-REx Achieves Sample Mass MilestoneThe curation team processing NASA’s asteroid Bennu sample has removed and collected 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of rocks and dust from the sampler hardware – surpassing the agency’s goal of bringing at least 60 grams to Earth.Read MoreA silver capsule is opened inside a glovebox surrounded by technicians gowned in blue protective suitsInitial Curation of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx SampleThe initial curation process for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx  sample of asteroid Bennu is moving slower than anticipated, but for the best reason: the sample runneth over.Read MoreOSIRIS-REx Sample Landing11 ImagesGo To GalleryGo To GalleryOSIRIS-REx NewsAll OSIRIS-REx newsArticle3 min readNASA’s OSIRIS-REx Earns Neil Armstrong Space Flight Achievement AwardArticle3 min readNASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission Awarded Collier Trophy3 min readNASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission Awarded Robert Goddard Memorial TrophyArticle3 months agomin readNASA’S OSIRIS-REx Curation Team Reveals Remaining Asteroid SampleImage Articlemin readReturn of OREx: Part IIITo view more images from the Sept. 24, 2023, asteroid sample arrival in Utah, visit NASA's OSIRIS-REx Flickr gallery.Explore OSIRIS-APEXOSIRIS-APEX, a follow-on to OSIRIS-REx, will study the physical changes to asteroid Apophis after the asteroid’s rare close encounter with Earth in 2029.Learn MoreThe image is zoomed in on Earth's globe, which takes up the entirety of the frame. In front of it hovers a metal box with wings.Keep ExploringDiscover More Topics From NASAAsteroidsA close up view of diamond-shaped Asteroid Bennu. The asteroid appears gray in this image. Rocks and craters are visible.BennuA close up view of diamond-shaped Asteroid Bennu. The asteroid appears gray in this image. Rocks and craters are visible.Our Solar SystemAn illustration of a slice of a bright orange sun, with planets, a comet and asteroids against a blue-black backround.Science MissionsHubble floating above Earth
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