Asteroid Sample Return Mission Launches on This Week @NASA – September 9, 2016

TL;DR

NASA launched the OSIRIS-REx mission to sample an asteroid, Expedition 48 commander Jeff Williams returned after a record-breaking tour on the International Space Station, West Virginia University engineering students won a NASA robot challenge, and NASA's X-57 aircraft progresses towards its goal of fully electric flight.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” “And liftoff of OSIRIS REx ...” On Sept. 8, NASA launched the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security - Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx mission from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. OSIRIS-REx, the first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid, is scheduled... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎟️ NASA launched the OSIRIS-REx mission, marking the first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid.
• 👨‍🚀 Expedition 48 commander Jeff Williams set new records for an American astronaut's time in space with a total of 534 days.
• 😉 West Virginia University engineering students won NASA's Sample Return Robot Challenge for the second consecutive year.
• 😘 NASA's X-57 aircraft project reached a new milestone with the integration of its wing and fuselage, progressing towards fully electric flight.
• 👶 NASA's Glenn Research Center showcased new aviation ideas and technologies during the annual Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Showcase.
• 🛳️ NASA's X-57 aircraft design aligns with NASA’s New Aviation Horizons initiative, focusing on cruise efficiency, noise reduction, and environmental friendliness.
• 🦖 The OSIRIS-REx mission will provide valuable insights into the history of asteroid Bennu and the evolution of our solar system.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of the OSIRIS-REx mission?

The OSIRIS-REx mission aims to sample an asteroid called Bennu and provide clues about its history and the evolution of our solar system over the past 4.5 billion years.

Q: How long did Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams spend in space?

Jeff Williams spent a total of 534 days in space, setting new records for an American astronaut's duration in space.

Q: What did West Virginia University engineering students achieve at NASA's Sample Return Robot Challenge?

The students successfully navigated their robot to retrieve the most simulated samples in the timed competition, earning them $750,000 in prize money.

Q: What is the goal of NASA's X-57 aircraft project?

The goal of the X-57 aircraft project is to demonstrate flight that is cruise efficient, quieter, and more environmentally friendly by converting the Tecnam P2006T into NASA's first fully electric X-plane.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA launched the OSIRIS-REx mission, the first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid, which will provide insights into the history of Bennu and our solar system.

• Expedition 48 commander Jeff Williams returned to Earth after a record-breaking tour on the International Space Station, spending 534 days in space, setting new records for an American astronaut.

• West Virginia University engineering students won NASA's Sample Return Robot Challenge for the second year in a row, demonstrating their ability to retrieve simulated samples with their robot.

• NASA's X-57 aircraft, aiming to demonstrate fully electric flight, reached a new milestone with the integration of its wing and fuselage, bringing it closer to its final phase-two configuration.