OSIRIS-REx

Photos: OSIRIS-REx on pad to begin voyage to Bennu and back

September 7, 2016 Justin Ray

Headed to a relic from the solar system’s formation over four billion years ago, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return craft was moved to Cape Canaveral’s Complex 41 launch pad today in preparation for liftoff Thursday aboard an Atlas 5 rocket en route to Asteroid Bennu hoping to find the seeds of life.

Photos: Atlas 5 rocket rolls out to launch asteroid sampling probe

September 7, 2016 Justin Ray

Poised to embark on a 7-year adventure to Asteroid Bennu and back, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return spacecraft was moved to the launch pad today aboard its Atlas 5 rocket for liftoff Thursday evening.

Atlas 5/OSIRIS-REx launch timeline

September 7, 2016 Justin Ray

Follow the Atlas 5 rocket’s ascent from Cape Canaveral’s Complex 41 launch pad to send NASA’s OSIRIS-REx on an interplanetary trajectory to intercept Asteroid Bennu and bring back a pristine sample. Launch is scheduled for Thursday at 7:05 p.m. EDT (2305 GMT).

Photos: Asteroid probe encapsulated, mounted atop Atlas 5 for launch

September 7, 2016 Justin Ray

Technicians inched the two halves of the Atlas 5’s aluminum nose cone around NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to package the asteroid sample return probe, then moved the satellite to the rocket’s assembly building and hoisted it aboard the two-stage booster during the final days of August for the Sept. 8 launch.

Video: Atlas/OSIRIS-REx pre-launch and mission science press briefings

September 6, 2016 Justin Ray

Watch the Atlas 5 rocket and OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return spacecraft pre-launch news conference and the mission science briefing held on Launch-minus 2 days at the Kennedy Space Center.

Atlas 5 rocket cleared to launch NASA probe to Asteroid Bennu

September 6, 2016 Justin Ray

Mission leaders Tuesday gave approval for rollout of the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket to its pad on Wednesday morning, leading to liftoff Thursday evening of a NASA probe to rendezvous with an asteroid and bring a sample back to Earth.

Preview: NASA craft launches Thursday seeking the seeds of life on asteroid

September 5, 2016 Justin Ray

What began as a concept scribbled on a cocktail napkin in a Tucson bar 12 years ago — sending a spacecraft to an asteroid and retrieving a pristine sample to bring back to Earth for study — becomes reality Thursday with the launch of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission.

Photos: OSIRIS-REx on pad to begin voyage to Bennu and back

Photos: Atlas 5 rocket rolls out to launch asteroid sampling probe

Atlas 5/OSIRIS-REx launch timeline

Photos: Asteroid probe encapsulated, mounted atop Atlas 5 for launch

Video: Atlas/OSIRIS-REx pre-launch and mission science press briefings

Atlas 5 rocket cleared to launch NASA probe to Asteroid Bennu

Preview: NASA craft launches Thursday seeking the seeds of life on asteroid

Weather forecast favorable for Atlas 5 to launch NASA asteroid probe Thursday

Asteroid probe apparently unharmed in nearby SpaceX explosion, passes its FRR

Animation of OSIRIS-REx mission from liftoff to return home