NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return to Earth

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission was a historic endeavor to collect a sample from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu and return it to Earth for scientific analysis. Here's a brief overview of the mission's key milestones leading to the sample return:

Launch (September 8, 2016): OSIRIS-REx was launched aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Its destination was the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

Asteroid Arrival (December 3, 2018): The spacecraft arrived at Bennu and began surveying the asteroid's surface to select a suitable site for sample collection.

Site Selection (December 2019): After careful evaluation, the mission team selected a site called "Nightingale" as the primary site for sample collection due to its scientific value and safety.

Touch-and-Go (TAG) Sample Collection (October 20, 2020): OSIRIS-REx descended to the asteroid's surface and briefly made contact with it. A burst of nitrogen gas was used to stir up and collect regolith (loose surface material) from Bennu. The spacecraft's sample collector head was designed to capture at least 60 grams (2.1 ounces) of material.

Sample Stowage (October 28, 2020): Following the TAG event, the sample collector head was successfully stowed within the spacecraft's sample return capsule (SRC), which was designed to safely transport the collected material back to Earth.

Departure from Bennu (May 10, 2021): After spending approximately 2.5 years at Bennu, OSIRIS-REx began its journey back to Earth, departing from the asteroid.

Sample Return to Earth (Expected): As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, OSIRIS-REx was expected to return to Earth and deliver its precious cargo in September 2023. The SRC containing the asteroid sample was designed to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and land in the Utah desert, where it would be retrieved for scientific analysis.

The sample from Bennu is of great scientific interest because it could provide insights into the early solar system's composition and the origins of life on Earth. Please note that the mission's timeline and events may have evolved since my last update, so it's advisable to check with NASA or relevant sources for the most current information on the OSIRIS-REx mission.