On Sept. 24, 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx became the first U.S. mission to deliver a sample of an asteroid to Earth. This article provides answers to frequently asked questions about the mission.
Read More OSIRIS-REx: Frequently Asked QuestionsNASA’s OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer) is the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid and return it to Earth. Launched on September 8, 2016, the spacecraft arrived at asteroid Bennu in December 2018 and collected a sample from its surface on October 20, 2020. The mission aims to deliver the largest asteroid sample ever received on Earth, estimated to hold about half a pound of Bennu’s material or 8.8 ounces +/- 3.6 ounces (250 grams +/- 101 grams).
Read More OSIRIS-REx: A Journey to Asteroid Bennu and BackThe asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, consists of a large number of rocky and metallic bodies that vary in size from small boulders to objects that are hundreds of kilometers in diameter. While often portrayed as a densely packed region in popular culture, the asteroid belt is actually quite sparse, with vast distances separating individual asteroids. Nonetheless, this region presents significant opportunities for scientific research, mineral extraction, and commercial ventures. This article reviews the characteristics of the asteroid belt and discusses its growing importance in the realm of the space economy.
Read More The Asteroid Belt and Its Relevance to the Space EconomyThe International Space Station (ISS) serves as a cornerstone for scientific research and technological development in outer space. One of the most unique aspects of the ISS is its microgravity environment, which allows researchers to conduct experiments that would be difficult or impossible to perform under Earth’s gravitational pull. However, it’s important to clarify that the microgravity of the ISS is not the same as “zero gravity,” a term sometimes used colloquially but inaccurately. Moreover, the ISS’s specific orbit and inherent vibrations also have an influence on the microgravity environment. This article provides a look at these aspects related to microgravity on the ISS.
Read More Exploring the Realities of Reduced Gravity: Microgravity vs. Zero Gravity on the ISSSpaceX Starship serves as a fully reusable spacecraft designed and developed by SpaceX, the American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX seeks to revolutionize space travel and make it more cost-effective. The Starship project plays a central role in this vision. The spacecraft is intended to carry both crew and cargo to destinations such as the Moon, Mars, and potentially beyond.
Read More Overview of the SpaceX Starship