Asteroid & Comet Missions
Latest about Asteroid & Comet Missions
![a spacecraft zooms towards Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sPp5sxM7xwQjS9iocbPm4A-320-80.jpg)
Watch NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid probe approach Earth in this free telescope video
By Robert Lea last updated
The Virtual Telescope Project will point its telescopes towards NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft on Sept. 23 as it approaches Earth to return a sample of the asteroid Bennu.
![a cone-shaped capsule flies through space just above Earth's atmosphere](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jY7PnGkXfvaCiG89kgE59k-320-80.jpg)
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft releases asteroid sample capsule toward Earth in flyby, heads to Apophis
By Tariq Malik published
The first asteroid samples ever collected by NASA are closing in on Earth for a historic landing in Utah today (Sept. 24).
![a woman in a baseball cap examines a mock sample-return capsule in a desert landscape.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cfVVinY5jx3DKtHZPAK3NC-320-80.jpg)
OSIRIS-REx probe will bring pristine asteroid samples to Earth today. Watch it live
By Mike Wall last updated
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission is set to deliver its asteroid sample to Earth on Sunday morning (Sept. 24), and you can watch the historic action live.
![Scientists have created a detailed topological map of asteroid Bennu.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6aVqQ3UqutDkAYH8kL8aKj-320-80.jpg)
How NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission will help protect Earth against asteroid Bennu and its flyby in 2182
By Tereza Pultarova published
Asteroid Bennu is the space rock with the highest known probability of hitting Earth in the next 200 years. NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission will help us protect ourselves.
![a spacecraft zooms towards Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sPp5sxM7xwQjS9iocbPm4A-320-80.jpg)
No, the OSIRIS-REx probe will not bring back asteroid space 'germs'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Space germs will not piggyback on bits of Bennu that NASA's OSIRIS-REx delivers to Earth this Sunday. Here's why.
![a spacecraft zooms towards Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sPp5sxM7xwQjS9iocbPm4A-320-80.jpg)
Will NASA's OSIRIS-REx stick its asteroid sample landing? Scientists are 'very much confident' as zero hour nears
By Brett Tingley published
Scientists with NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission are confident that the planned Sept. 24 asteroid sample landing will go as planned.
![a corner of an envelope bears a stamp depicting a cone-shaped capsule descending under a parachute](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xPAQoDvoNaKj6fdpRMuzBE-320-80.jpg)
US Postal Service drops new OSIRIS-REx stamp ahead of asteroid sample return
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
NASA's first asteroid sample mission has landed at post offices two days before the spacecraft's return capsule is set to land on Earth. The USPS released a stamp celebrating the OSIRIS-REx probe.
![a round capsule rests on the ground of hazy, dim desert.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FNc75ZpW9XYk9aoM2jXKq8-320-80.jpg)
What time is NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return capsule landing on Sept. 24?
By Josh Dinner published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is carrying the first ever asteroid samples recovered by the agency. Now, after a 1.2 billion-mile journey back to Earth, it's about to land.
![black-and-white telescope photo of blurry, pixelated stars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/csLRnRcpy5TkSgmemrwnjk-320-80.jpg)
Telescope spots NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe as it brings asteroid samples to Earth (photo)
By Mike Wall published
A ground-based telescope in the Canary Islands snapped a photo of NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe on Sept. 16, eight days before its asteroid sample lands on Earth.
![a cone-shaped capsule flies through space just above Earth's atmosphere](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jY7PnGkXfvaCiG89kgE59k-320-80.jpg)
NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return needs an awesome soundtrack. Here's how you can submit your favorite songs
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA's first asteroid sample will return to Earth next week, and you can help create the soundtrack for the spacecraft's epic touchdown.
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