Geophysical Observations of the 2023 September 24 OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Capsule Reentry
Authors: Silber Elizabeth A. , Bowman Daniel C. , Carr Chris G. , Eisenberg David P. , Elbing Brian R. , Fernando Benjamin , Garcés Milton A. , Haaser Robert , Krishnamoorthy Siddharth , Langston Charles A. , Nishikawa Yasuhiro , Webster Jeremy , Anderson Jacob F. , Arrowsmith Stephen , Bazargan Sonia , Beardslee Luke , Beck Brant , Bishop Jordan W. , Blom Philip , Bracht Grant , Chichester David L. , Christe Anthony , Clarke Jacob , Cummins Kenneth , Cutts James , Danielson Lisa , Donahue Carly , Eack Kenneth , Fleigle Michael , Fox Douglas , Goel Ashish , Green David , Hasumi Yuta , Hayward Chris , Hicks Dan , Hix Jay , Horton Stephen , Hough Emalee , Huber David P. , Hunt Madeline A. , Inman Jennifer , Islam S. M. Ariful , Izraelevitz Jacob , Jacob Jamey D. , Johnson James , KC Real J. , Komjathy Attila , Lam Eric , LaPierre Justin , Lewis Kevin , Lewis Richard D. , Liu Patrick , Martire Léo , McCleary Meaghan , McGhee Elisa A. , Mitra Ipsita , Nag Amitabh , Ocampo Giraldo Luis , Pearson Karen , Plaisir Mathieu , Popenhagen Sarah K. , Rassoul Hamid , Ronac Giannone Miro , Samnani Mirza , Schmerr Nicholas , Spillman Kate , Srinivas Girish , Takazawa Samuel K. , Tempert Alex , Turley Reagan , Van Beek Cory , Viens Loïc , Walsh Owen A. , Weinstein Nathan , White Robert , Williams Brian , Wilson Trevor C. , Wyckoff Shirin , Yamamoto Masa-yuki , Yap Zachary , Yoshiyama Tyler , Zeiler Cleat 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Sample return capsules (SRCs) entering Earth’s atmosphere at hypervelocity from interplanetary space are a valuable resource for studying meteor phenomena. The 2023 September 24 arrival of the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer SRC provided an unprecedented chance for geophysical observations of a well-characterized source with known parameters, including timing and trajectory. A collaborative effort involving researchers from 16 institutions executed a carefully planned geophysical observational campaign at strategically chosen locations, deploying over 400 ground-based sensors encompassing infrasound, seismic, distributed acoustic sensing, and Global Positioning System technologies. Additionally, balloons equipped with infrasound sensors were launched to capture signals at higher altitudes. This campaign (the largest of its kind so far) yielded a wealth of invaluable data anticipated to fuel scientific inquiry for years to come. The success of the observational campaign is evidenced by the near-universal detection of signals across instruments, both proximal and distal. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the collective scientific effort, field deployment, and preliminary findings. The early findings have the potential to inform future space missions and terrestrial campaigns, contributing to our understanding of meteoroid interactions with planetary atmospheres. Furthermore, the data set collected during this campaign will improve entry and propagation models and augment the study of atmospheric dynamics and shock phenomena generated by meteoroids and similar sources.