Astrochemistry Laboratory

OSIRIS-REx (OSIRIS-REx)

Class:

Flight Project

Status:

Operational

Organizations:

Launch Date:

September 2016

WEBSITE:

Home

OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security--Regolith Explorer) launched September 8, 2016. It explored the Near Earth Asteroid (101955) Bennu in detail including with the Goddard-built OVIRS instrument. OSIRIS-REx collected a sample in October 2020 and returned it to Earth on September 24, 2023. This sample will help us investigate planet formation and the origin of life, and the data collected at the asteroid will also aid our understanding of asteroids that can impact Earth (Bennu is a potentially hazardous object with a 1-in-2,700 chance of impacting Earth between the years 2175 and 2199). OSIRIS-REx is led by PI Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona and managed by GSFC.

Key Staff
    OSIRIS-REx Logo

    Contact Us

    Michele Smith
    Project Support Specialist
    301-286-3902
    michele.l.smith@nasa.gov

    General inquiries about the scientific programs at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center may be directed to the Office of Public Affairs at 1.301.286.8955.