When will the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft attempt to collect samples from Bennu?

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The OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Will Attempt Sample Collection on October 20

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is scheduled to descend to the surface of asteroid Bennu on October 20 to collect rock and dust samples. This manoeuvre represents a critical phase of the mission, following a four-year journey. The collected material is intended to provide insights into planet formation and the origins of life.
Sample Collection Mechanism and Site Selection

The sample collection process will involve the spacecraft's Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) making contact with Bennu's surface for a brief period of five to ten seconds. Scientists have identified a specific site named Nightingale, a relatively unobstructed area approximately 16 metres in diameter, as the target for this operation. This location was chosen due to its abundance of fine-grained material, deemed most suitable for sample acquisition.
Autonomous Operation Amidst Communication Delays

Due to the vast distance separating OSIRIS-REx and Earth—approximately 334 million kilometres—there will be a significant communication delay of about 18.5 minutes for signals to travel in each direction. This substantial lag necessitates that the spacecraft perform the entire sample collection sequence autonomously, without real-time commands from mission control. The spacecraft, comparable in size to a large van, must execute this delicate manoeuvre within a confined area, carefully navigating around surrounding boulders.
Mission Objectives and Return Timeline

The OSIRIS-REx mission aims to gather at least 57 grams of Bennu's surface material. If successful, this will constitute the largest sample return from space since the Apollo programme. The spacecraft is slated to deliver its precious payload back to Earth on September 24, 2023, concluding this significant phase of scientific exploration.

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When will the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft attempt to collect samples from Bennu?

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