Jan 21, 2020

This week, OSIRIS-REx continued Reconnaissance B phase operations. The mission team spent the week preparing for the Nightingale site 620-meter flyover, scheduled for Jan. 21. On Jan. 14 the spacecraft executed phasing maneuver R1P1, which was the smallest maneuver the spacecraft has performed to date. One of the Low Thrust Reaction Engine Assembly (LTR) thrusters – the smallest thrusters onboard – was used to move the spacecraft 3.7 mm/s. The maneuver itself lasted approximately 68 seconds. R1P1 slightly altered the spacecraft’s orbit in order to place it at the correct location and time for orbit departure. This departure will initiate the Nightingale flyover.