OSIRIS-REx: NASA's Asteroid Sample-Return Mission in Pictures

OSIRIS-REx's Earth Flyby: Artist's Illustration

This artist's illustration shows NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft zooming past Earth on Sept. 22, 2017 — a maneuver designed to boost the probe’s speed and refine its course toward the asteroid Bennu.

Path of OSIRIS-REx During Earth Flyby

This graphic shows the path taken by NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling spacecraft during its Earth flyby on Sept. 22, 2017.

OSIRIS-REx Earth Flyby: Distance

The Sept. 22, 2017, Earth flyby of NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling spacecraft brings it closer than some satellites.

Why OSIRIS-REx Is Flying by Earth

OSIRIS-REx’s Earth flyby of Sept. 22, 2017, is designed to put the spacecraft on track for a 2018 rendezvous with the asteroid Bennu.

OSIRIS-REx Flyby Orbit

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will fly by Earth, using the planet's momentum to swing it up into a higher inclination where Asteroid Bennu orbits.

Telescope View of OSIRIS-REx Asteroid-Sampling Spacecraft

The Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona captured these views of NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling spacecraft on Sept. 2, 2017, when the probe was about 7 million miles (12 million kilometers) from Earth. OSIRIS-REx is approaching our planet for a planned Sept. 23 flyby that’s designed to slingshot it toward the asteroid Bennu.

Artist interpretation of OSIRIS-REx

An artist's interpretation of NASA's asteroid-sample mission OSIRIS-REx, which will rendezvous with the near-Earth asteroid Bennu (once known as 1999 RQ36) in 2020.

OSIRIS-REx at Asteroid Bennu

An artist's concept of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft near asteroid Bennu (previously known as 1999 RQ36).

OSIRIS-REx Liftoff

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission spacecraft lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Sept. 8, 2016.

United Launch Alliance OSIRIS REx Photos

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission launches into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on Sept. 8, 2016.