#Scientists finetune odds bennu earth update#
#Scientists finetune odds bennu earth series#

To minimize the development costs, a mini satellite approach has been selected, leading to a compact concept for the camera design. The first optical satellite of the PLEIADES HR constellation will be launched in mid-2008, the second will follow in 2009. ALCATEL SPACE has been entrusted by CNES with the development of the high resolution camera of the Earth observation satellites PLEIADES HR. PLEIADES HR is the optical high resolution component of a larger optical and radar multi-sensors system : ORFEO, which is developed in cooperation between France and Italy for dual Civilian and Defense use. Coming after the SPOT program, it was decided to go ahead with the PLEIADES HR program. Its capability and experience in High Resolution instrumentation is recognised by the most customers. Through these programmes, ALCATEL SPACE enjoys an international reputation. Lamard, Jean-Luc Gaudin-Delrieu, Catherine Valentini, David Renard, Christophe Tournier, Thierry Laherrere, Jean-MarcĪs part of its contribution to Earth observation from space, ALCATEL SPACE designed, built and tested the High Resolution cameras for the European intelligence satellites HELIOS I and II. Then it must turn around and retrace its path back home.Design of the high resolution optical instrument for the Pleiades HR Earth observation satellites With a puff of nitrogen gas, it will blow some material off the asteroid’s surface, gathering as much as 4.4 pounds of rock in the head of the sample. In 2020, after 18 months of observations, OSIRIS-REx will swoop close to Bennu and extend a long robotic arm equipped with its sample-collecting instrument, called TAGSAM.

Video animations of the spacecraft’s planned orbits look like an elaborate cosmic ballet.

#Scientists finetune odds bennu earth update#

Engineers will uplink new orbital instructions to the spacecraft every day (a typical planetary mission might only update its trajectory once a week, Adam said).

#Scientists finetune odds bennu earth series#

Yet Bennu’s small size also makes it possible for OSIRIS-REx to perform a series of carefully choreographed hairpin maneuvers around the asteroid. Photo by NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona via AP The spacecraft will spend a year surveying Bennu before collecting a sample that will be returned to Earth for analysis. Article content An artist’s rendering shows the mapping of the near-Earth asteroid Bennu by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. OSIRIS-REx was within 12 miles of Bennu’s surface – about the distance between the White House and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, which manages the spacecraft. Then Cerna grinned and spread his arms out wide. “Standby for Bennu arrival,” Cerna announced. Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images A rocket carrying NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft lifts off on Sept.

Sitting at mission control at the Denver offices of Lockheed Martin, which operates the spacecraft for NASA, engineer Javi Cerna waited for the signal indicating OSIRIS-REx had begun the burn needed to bring it close to its target. The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. Manage Print Subscription / Tax ReceiptĪ welcome email is on its way.