Aug 05, 2019

This week, OSIRIS-REx successfully concluded its final week of Orbital B phase. The OLA data and PolyCam images obtained from this low altitude orbit are of unprecedented detail, and will inform the mission team as they work to select sample collection sites.

The second Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) and OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) cross-calibration executed on August 2. The cross-calibration activity seeks to confirm that both the GNC (Guidance, Navigation and Control) LIDAR range data and OLA scans continue to be consistent with one another.

The Touch-and-Go Camera Suite (TAGCAMS) recovered from an instrument-level safing event on July 28. Due to the event, the third scheduled Natural Feature Tracking (NFT) checkout was not performed. The root cause of the issue is currently under investigation.

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will transition to Orbital C phase next week, when the spacecraft will orbit Bennu at a slightly higher altitude of 1.7 km. Particle monitoring will resume during Orbital C.