Three science instruments allow for accurate determination of stellar positions and velocities as well as the spectral properties. Gaia revolves about its axis slowly in about six hours and is composed of two optical space telescopes. The data helps unveil the origin and future evolution of the Solar System and the Milky Way and helps understand stellar and planetary-system evolution and our place in the cosmos. Gaia data allows, for example, for the derivation of asteroid and exoplanet orbits and physical properties. Finnish researchers were strongly involved in the release. On Monday, June 13, ESA released Gaia data in Data Release 3 (DR3). Gaia was launched in December 2013 and has collected science data from July 2014. Scientists want to learn more about how sunlight can shift an asteroid’s position.The Gaia space mission of the European Space Agency ESA is constructing an ultraprecise three-dimensional map of our Milky Way galaxy, observing almost two billion stars or roughly one percent of all the stars in our galaxy. First, the spacecraft will conduct an in-depth study of the rocky body. In 2023, OSIRIS-REx’s sample return capsule is scheduled to bring a piece of Bennu back to Earth. Once they know they have the right amount, they can plan the return of OSIRIS-REx. To weigh the sample in the low-gravity environment, scientists will measure the spacecraft’s angular acceleration before and after the sample is collected. “The fact that we safely and successfully touched the surface of Bennu, in addition to all the other milestones this mission has already achieved, is a testament to the living spirit of exploration that continues to uncover the secrets of the solar system.” (NASA, 2020) A Return To Earth “Today’s TAG maneuver was historic,” said Lori Glaze, Planetary Science Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Reports say that NASA engineers and scientists celebrated with applause and cheers once they knew they had a sample. Thankfully, it collected material on the first attempt. The spacecraft carries three bottles of nitrogen gas to allow for multiple collection attempts. However, the goal is to collect 5 ounces (150 g) to account for any measurement errors. To complete all of the planned science, OSIRIS-REx needs to collect at least 2 ounces (60 g) of asteroid material. The spacecraft’s performance was phenomenal,” said Sandy Freund, OSIRIS-REx mission operations manager for Lockheed Martin, which built the spacecraft. The spacecraft only has three nitrogen gas canisters, and so three tries, to collect asteroid samples. It was a high-stakes maneuver for OSIRIS-REx. NASA stated that it would take about a week to confirm how much Regolith (dust and broken rock) made it into the chamber. As a result, the puff of gas blew tiny pieces of the 1,640-foot-wide (500 meters) Bennu into the OSIRIS-REx collection device. The contact lasted just 6 seconds and allowed the spacecraft to fire off a puff of nitrogen gas. Using its Touch and Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), OSIRIS-REx made contact with the asteroid’s surface after an 11-minute descent. One boulder, NASA nicknamed Mount Doom, as it stands 10 stories high. Scientists found that Nightingale had a clear spot when compared to areas covered in boulders. NASA stated that Nightingale chose this site after studying the asteroid for a couple of years.
On October 21, 2020, OSIRIS-REx touched a rocky region of Bennu called Nightingale. Since arriving at Bennu in December of 2018, NASA worked to locate a landing point for OSIRIS-REx. Furthermore, they learn how the planets formed. Studying them allows scientists to see how the early solar system appeared. As a result, they serve as basic blueprints of the early solar system. Asteroids are the bits and pieces left over from the formation of the planets. The asteroid completes an orbit around the Sun every 1.2 years, and every 6 years comes very close to Earth. In 2016, NASA launched its OSIRIS- REx space probe to study the B-type asteroid Bennu.
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