Samples of an Asteroid are Headed Back to Earth on This Week @NASA – May 14, 2021

TL;DR

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is returning to Earth with asteroid samples, the Webb space telescope's primary mirror was successfully expanded, and 3D imagery of Mars and severe weather is now available.

Transcript

Samples of an asteroid are headed back to Earth… A key prelaunch milestone for the Webb space telescope ... And adding a third dimension to some cool imagery … A few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA! On May 10, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft bid farewell to near-Earth asteroid Bennu. O-REx then began its journey back to Earth, wi... Read More

Key Insights

• 🦖 NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is successfully returning to Earth with samples from near-Earth asteroid Bennu.
• 👾 The Webb space telescope's primary mirror has completed a vital prelaunch milestone by fully expanding and locking into place.
• 👨‍🚀 A private astronaut mission to the International Space Station is scheduled for January 2022, marking a new era in space exploration.
• 👻 3D imagery of the Ingenuity helicopter's flight on Mars allows viewers to experience the Red Planet from a unique perspective.
• 😣 Scientists at NASA's Langley Research Center have developed a method to view typical satellite imagery in 3D, offering a more detailed understanding of severe weather phenomenon.
• 💱 The retirement of Steve Jurczyk, NASA's associate administrator, and the appointment of Bob Cabana as his successor bring leadership changes within the agency.
• 👾 The Webb space telescope aims to revolutionize our understanding of the solar system, distant exoplanets, and the mysteries of the universe.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is OSIRIS-REx returning to Earth?

OSIRIS-REx is returning to Earth with an abundance of sample material collected from near-Earth asteroid Bennu last October. This material will be separated from the spacecraft and make a parachute-assisted landing in Utah’s West Desert on September 24, 2023.

Q: What is the purpose of the Webb space telescope?

The Webb space telescope will be the world's premier space science observatory, helping solve mysteries in our solar system, observe distant worlds around other stars, and investigate the structures and origins of our universe.

Q: Who is taking over as NASA associate administrator?

Former astronaut Bob Cabana is taking over as NASA associate administrator. He has served as the director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center since 2008 and has extensive experience in spaceflight.

Q: How can viewers experience 3D imagery of the Ingenuity helicopter's flight on Mars?

Viewers can experience the third flight of the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars through a 3D rendering created by engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Images from the Mastcam-Z imager on the Perseverance rover provide the footage.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft left near-Earth asteroid Bennu after collecting sample material, set to return to Earth on September 24, 2023.

• The Webb space telescope's 6.5 meter primary mirror successfully expanded and locked into place, in preparation for its launch later this year.

• Axiom Space and NASA signed an order for the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for January 2022.