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OSIRIS-REx is

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NASA's first asteroid sample return
mission.

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It launched in September 2016 on a journey

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to explore a near-Earth
asteroid called Bennu.

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After arriving in 2018, OSIRIS-REx
spent nearly two years orbiting Bennu,

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mapping and studying its rugged terrain

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before carrying out its primary science
objective.

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On October 20th, 2020.

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The spacecraft ventured to a small crater
in the asteroid's northern hemisphere.

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It dodged jagged rocks
and towering boulders and plunged its arm

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into the loose
surface, excavating six tons of debris

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while collecting
about 250 grams of material.

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OSIRIS-REx stowed its bounty
and closed its sample return capsule.

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It bid farewell to Bennu in May 2021,

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embarking on a 1.2 billion mile cruise
back to Earth.

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Now, two years and four months
after leaving Bennu.

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OSIRIS-REx is closing in on the
place where its journey began

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on September 24th.

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The spacecraft will approach
to nearly 63,000 miles from Earth.

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It will power up and release its sample
return capsule at 4:42 a.m.

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Mountain Time.

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The capsule must be jettisoned
within a narrow time frame

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and at just the right angle to hit
its target an area of roughly

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250 square miles in Utah's West Desert.

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Once the capsule is away,
OSIRIS-REx will fire

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its thrusters
to avoid colliding with Earth.

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At 8:42 a.m., the capsule will streak

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into the atmosphere
at a blistering 27,000 miles per hour.

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It will race across the western U.S.

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and begin to glow with heat,
allowing infrared trackers on the ground

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to chart its progress
as it pushes deeper into the atmosphere.

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The capsule will rapidly decelerate,
subjecting the Bennu samples

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to a punishing 32 G’s
about 2 minutes after entry.

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It will slow to Mach 1.4

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and deploy its drogue parachute
to stabilizing its descent.

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The capsule will enter
special use airspace at 8:46

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a.m., almost ten miles
above the Department of Defense.

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Utah Test and Training range.

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Radar stations will lock on
and track it to

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within 30 feet of its landing
site at 8:50 a.m..

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The capsule will extract and deploy its
main parachute one mile above the ground.

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It will make its final descent
at a leisurely 11 miles per hour,

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like a marathon runner
savoring a victory lap

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before touching down
in the desert soil at 8:55.