Sep 04, 2018

This last week the mission’s Science Operations Planning Group held the tactical kickoff for the upcoming Natural Satellite Search. The mission operates on an 8-week science planning schedule, so between now and the search’s commencement on Oct. 23, the finalized commands for the activity will be built, tested, and radiated to the spacecraft. Beyond the inherent science value of the possible discovery of natural satellites at Bennu, the search is key to assess the spacecraft’s safety while it operates in the area around the asteroid.