Bennu Here We Come!

Ed Beshore gives a talk about the Atlas 5 rocket blast off from Cape Canaveral carrying the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft heading towards asteroid Bennu. When it returns to the Earth in 2023, it will contain the largest sample of extraterrestrial material returned to the Earth since the end of the manned missions to the moon over 40 years ago. This UA-led mission will mark many new milestones for US space exploration. Listen to the story of how and why OSIRIS-REx was conceived and built, and how it has pioneered new technologies that may help keep Earth safe against hazardous asteroids. Hear about the great adventure that lies ahead after launch, when scientists from all over the world will gather in Tucson for over 18 months, studying Bennu up close before they choose the best site for retrieving a sample.