It proceeded to orbit Bennu to take images and perform analysis of the asteroid’s make-up.
One of its tools – an infrared spectrometer – confirmed scientists’ suspicion that the asteroid possessed low thermal inertia.
This would suggest its surface was smooth and made up primarily of fine-grained materials like sand.
According to images taken by the spacecraft’s SamCam and preliminary data, the mechanism successfully made contact with the asteroid’s surface for about six seconds.
The spacecraft then performed a burn-away to lift itself off the asteroid.
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However, OSIRIS-REx’s highly sophisticated cameras and laser scanning tools revealed the asteroid’s landscape was scattered with rocks and boulders.
OSIRIS REx will now begin the return journey to earth, where scientists hope they will be able to perform a more in-depth analysis of its collected sample.
It is expected to arrive in September 2023, when it will dispense the capsule containing the sample.