Science and Exploration

OSIRIS-REx Returned an Asteroid Sample to Earth Sunday, Kicking Off Decades of New Science

By Jon Kelvey
SpaceRef
September 25, 2023
Filed under , ,
OSIRIS-REx Returned an Asteroid Sample to Earth Sunday, Kicking Off Decades of New Science
The sample return capsule from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is seen shortly after touching down in the desert.
Image credit: NASA/Keegan Barber.

On Sunday morning, after 7 years and 15 days, the latest stage of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx space mission came to a close when a small capsule containing a sample of the asteroid Bennu safely touched down and was recovered in the Utah desert on September 24.

SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

This content is for members only.

FIRST MONTH FREE

Login Subscribe
Jon Kelvey

Jon Kelvey is a science writer covering space, aerospace, and biosciences. His work has appeared in publications such as Air & Space Magazine, Earth and Space News, Slate, and Smithsonian in addition to SpaceRef.