Recall that the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) spacecraft was launched to the asteroid Bennu in 2016. The goal of the project is to deliver rock samples of this body to Earth for a comprehensive study in laboratory conditions. The analysis of matter is expected to help shed light on the evolution of the solar system.

Last Tuesday, October 20, the OSIRIS-REx station made a series of maneuvers that allowed it to approach the asteroid and synchronize its rotation speed. After that, the TAGSAM (Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) system, a 3.35-meter robotic arm for collecting samples, came into play.

After contact with Bennu, a jet of nitrogen was released, blowing out rock particles and dust from the surface of the asteroid: these samples were collected by the TAGSAM system.