NASA's latest mission OSIRIS-REx has been launched to map and get a sample of asteroid 101955 Bennu within seven years before returning to Earth on 2023.
Dr. Dante Lauretta, principal investigator of the project, recently reported the successful launch of the asteroid explorer last Sept. 8 at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Based on the study that primitive asteroids or comets, mineral and other elements have not been altered, experts said that Bennu is carbon-rich. They also pointed out that amino acid is included in its composition.
The asteroids would likely give a hint on how life on earth has started.
Scientists believed that the near-earth asteroid will likely collide Earth in the late 22nd century. This assumption added the urge for NASA to choose Bennu as the subject of the study.
"In two years, the near-Earth asteroid now known as Bennu will have a visitor from Earth," said Dante Lauretta in his report.
The mapping of Bennu will be monitored by the team of scientist through the instruments OVIRS (OSIRIS Rex Visible and Infrared Spectrometer and OTES (OSIRIS-Rex Thermal Emission Spectrometer. These instruments will help scientists to identify various organic materials and will also help them find the ideal surface of Bennu to actually get sample.
Though OVIRS AND OTES are quite comprehensive and is capable of lasting a long time in space, they are not expensive.
This 7-year round trip search for samples is a spectacular sight for spectators. Space enthusiasts around the globe gathered at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral for this special life-changing scenario.
NASA would update from time to time the activities of OSIRIS-Rex.
