Mar 16, 2020

This week, OSIRIS-REx continued Reconnaissance C phase operations. On Mar. 10 and 12, the spacecraft executed two trim maneuvers, TR1T1 and TR1T2. These burns were designed to adjust the spacecraft’s orbit so that it will be at the proper latitude and radius for orbit departure during the upcoming Checkpoint Rehearsal. Checkpoint Rehearsal, scheduled for Apr. 14, navigates the spacecraft down to Bennu’s surface and toward the sample collection site. Once the spacecraft reaches an altitude of approximately 75 m, it will stop its descent and execute a maneuver to back away from the asteroid. The exercise is designed for both the team and the spacecraft to practice the first part of the sample collection event.

The spacecraft is now orbiting asteroid Bennu at a distance of approximately 882 meters.