Surveying Osprey: Preparing Bennu’s Backup Sampling Site
Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/UA
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft performed a low-altitude flyby over the backup sample collection site, Osprey, to take observations of the site. A main goal of the flyby was to take high resolution images of Bennu’s surface and to allow the Natural Feature Tracking (NFT) image catalog to document the features on the asteroid's surface. Several other instruments on the spacecraft took observations of the sample site. The spacecraft successfully completed the flyby and returned to its orbit around Bennu. This activity will allow the KinetX navigation team to assess the site for hazards that could affect the spacecraft’s TAG attempt, if the team chooses to sample the backup site.
