The OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft will Slingshot Past Earth

Posted by Michael Bakich
on Friday, September 8, 2017

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is on its way to asteroid Bennu. // NASA
I just received an email from Dolores Hill, Senior Research Specialist at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson about an important date in OSIRIS-REx’s life. She reminded me that tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the OSIRIS-REx launch from Cape Canaveral. And she thought I might like to post the following. Thanks, Dolores, I would.

In preparation for the spacecraft’s Earth Gravity Assist Maneuver on September 22, the mission invites amateur astronomers and the public to participate in two campaigns: Spot the Spacecraft and Wave to OSIRIS-RExSpot the Spacecraft challenges astronomers (amateur and professional) to obtain images of the spacecraft as it slingshots past Earth. Wave to OSIRIS-REx is a fun way for groups and individuals to connect with the mission and show their support.

Check out this link for more details about the Spot the Spacecraft observing campaign.

And for the Wave to OSIRIS-REx Campaign (no telescope required), click here.

Finally, you can read more about the flyby of our planet here.

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