In August, the robotic spacecraft OSIRIS-REx will make NASA's first ever attempt to descend to the surface of asteroid Bennu, collect soil samples, and eventually return them safely to Earth.
To achieve this challenging goal, the OSIRIS-REx mission team has developed new microgravity techniques on asteroid Bennu, but they still need the experience of flying a spacecraft in close proximity to the asteroid in order to test them. So, before landing on the trial site this summer, OSIRIS-REx will first rehearse the activities leading up to this event.
The mission will conduct its first training flight on April 14, officially dubbed a rehearsal for the establishment of a 'checkpoint'. During the mission, the ship will fly to Benn as close as possible. This rehearsal gives the OSIRIS-REx team and spacecraft the opportunity to test the first steps of robotic sample collection.
During the landing process, the spacecraft uses three separate thrusters to force its way to the surface of the asteroid. After being in orbit, the spacecraft will perform a Checkpoint maneuver 125 meters above Bennu's surface. After that, a third maneuver, called the 'Coincidence Point', is planned, which will take place about 50 meters from the surface of the asteroid. As a result, the ship will be returned.
The rehearsal will allow the team to hone the spacecraft's navigation skills and determine its maneuvering capabilities. In addition, the NASA research team needs to ensure that the OSIRIS-REx Natural Tracking (NFT) navigation system accurately updates the position and speed of the spacecraft relative to Asteroid Bennu as it descends to the surface.
