Reconnaissance C Phase

During Reconnaissance C phase, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will perform a low-altitude flyover of site Nightingale. Observations will take place on Mar. 3, from a distance of approximately 820 ft (250 m). This will be the closest the spacecraft has ever been to asteroid Bennu’s surface. Before and after the flyover, the spacecraft will orbit Bennu at a distance of 0.6 miles (1 km).

A primary goal of this mission phase is to collect high-resolution imagery so that the team can locate the site’s best areas for collecting a sample.

Recon C phase is scheduled through mid-April, after which the mission will transition to Checkpoint Rehearsal. During its first rehearsal for the sample collection event, the spacecraft will practice leaving its orbit, maneuvering to a pre-defined Checkpoint located 164 ft (50 m) above the sample site, and then returning to orbit.