OSIRIS-REx Validates Critical Systems in Checkpoint Rehearsal
Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/UA
The Checkpoint Rehearsal was an opportunity for the team to take the sample collection system for a test run, and the closest the spacecraft had been to Bennu’s surface. The rehearsal allowed the team to practice navigating the spacecraft through the orbit departure and “Checkpoint” maneuvers. The team was able to make sure that the imaging, navigation and ranging systems were operating as planned, and were also able to confirm that the Natural Feature Tracking system was precisely updating the velocity and position of the spacecraft relative to Bennu as it gets closer to the surface. The spacecraft successfully completed the maneuver and returned to its orbit around Bennu.
