Currently, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is in the final stage of its return journey to Earth carrying samples gathered from the asteroid Bennu, Newsweek reported.

These samples are expected to contain valuable information about the origin of our solar system and are scheduled to arrive on September 24th of this year.

Upon arrival, a sample capsule will descend by parachute into the Utah desert, marking the first-ever successful U.S. mission to retrieve an asteroid sample and bring it back to Earth.

Although the spacecraft has successfully landed on the asteroid and departed, the return journey to Earth remains one of the most challenging aspects of the mission, as reported by Newsweek.

According to a press release from NASA, there are numerous factors that need to be considered as OSIRIS-REx embarks on its journey back to Earth. These include protecting the spacecraft from potential damage caused by vibrations, heat, and contaminants present on Earth.

Written by staff