To Bennu and Back: Journey's End

OSIRIS-REx is NASA's first asteroid sample return mission. It launched in September 2016 on a journey to explore a near-Earth asteroid called Bennu. In October 2020, the spacecraft ventured to the asteroid's surface and collected about 250 grams of material for delivery to Earth. Now, two years and four months after leaving Bennu, OSIRIS-REx is closing in on the place where its journey began. The mission's thrilling finale will take place on September 24, 2023, as a capsule containing the Bennu samples touches down in Utah's West Desert. Follow the journey to

OSIRIS-REx
NASA
Asteroid
Sample return mission
Bennu
Space exploration
Near-Earth asteroid
Spacecraft
Launch
September 2016
October 2020
Surface collection
Material
Earth delivery
Two years
Four months
Bennu samples
Utah
West Desert
Finale
September 24, 2023
Journey
Space mission
Exploration
Capsule
Space technology
Space science
Astronomical mission
Extraterrestrial material
Space capsule
Aerospace
Mission completion
Scientific discovery
Space timeline
Spacecraft trajectory
Interplanetary exploration
Mission updates
Space milestones
Planetary science
Celestial body
Cosmic exploration
NASA mission
Asteroid research
Space probe
Scientific achievement
Astronomical research
Space odyssey
Deep space exploration
Space history
Extraterrestrial encounter
Space rendezvous
Cosmic journey
Mission success
Space adventure
Astronomical phenomenon
Interstellar mission
Space technology advancement
Space discovery
Planetary exploration
Cosmic sample
Galactic exploration
Space travel
Astrobiology
Cosmic phenomena
Space science breakthrough
Space odyssey conclusion
Astral voyage
Stellar exploration
Space accomplishment
Solar system exploration
Cosmic expedition
Scientific exploration
Space mission finale
Cosmic journey's end
Aerospace technology
Galactic achievement
Cosmic rendezvous
Space exploration climax
Celestial discovery
Space return
Bennu expedition
Planetary mission
Deep space journey
Astrochemistry
Solar system research
Cosmic adventure
Galactic milestone
Space endeavor
Space odyssey endgame
Cosmic history
Stellar sample
Space research
Celestial odyssey
Planetary discovery
Space triumph
Galactic exploration finale
Astronomical odyssey
Cosmic accomplishment
Space probe conclusion
Astrophysical discover