Matchpoint Rehearsal Complete: OSIRIS-REx Prepares for TAG
Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/UA
On August 11th, 2020, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft performed the Matchpoint Rehearsal, conducting three of the four maneuvers for the sampling sequence, including the orbit departure burn, the “checkpoint” burn, and the “matchpoint” burn. This matchpoint maneuver occurred approximately 50 meters from Bennu’s surface, putting the spacecraft on a trajectory that matches the rotation of Bennu in order to descend toward the targeted spot for TAG. The rehearsal was successfully completed in four hours and the spacecraft returned to its orbit around Bennu.
