NASA has announced the launch of a spacecraft to an asteroid in 2016.
They will use a robotic arm to pluck samples that could better explain our solar system's formation and how life began.
The mission, called Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource
Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx, will be the
first U.S. mission to carry samples from an asteroid back to Earth.They will use a robotic arm to pluck samples that could better explain our solar system's formation and how life began.
"This is a critical step in meeting the objectives outlined by President Obama to extend our reach beyond low-Earth orbit and explore into deep space," said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden.
"It's robotic missions like these that will pave the way for future human space missions to an asteroid and other deep space destinations," added Bolden.
Asteroids are leftovers formed from the cloud of gas and dust - the solar nebula-that collapsed to form our Sun and the planets about 4.5 billion years ago. As such, they contain the original material from the solar nebula, which can tell us about the conditions of our solar system's birth.
After traveling four years, OSIRIS-REx will approach the primitive, near Earth asteroid designated 1999 RQ36 in 2020. Once within three miles of the asteroid, the spacecraft will begin six months of comprehensive surface mapping. The science team then will pick a location from where the spacecraft's arm will take a sample.
The spacecraft gradually will move closer to the site, and the arm will extend to collect more than two ounces of material for return to Earth in 2023. The mission, excluding the launch vehicle, is expected to cost approximately 800 million dollars. (ANI)
