Abstract:

Launched in september 2016, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft reached its target near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu, after a journey of about two years in space. Its mission is to take a sample of Bennu and bring it back to Earth. Finding a sampling site is not an easy task, as Bennu turned out to be covered with rocks of many different sizes and shapes, which is a big hazard for a safe OSIRS-REx landing on Bennu. However, the target is inviting and scientifically very interesting, as its surface could be water rich and probably harbours organic materials. I will give an overview of OSIRS-REx observations during its preliminary survey of the asteroid that was carried out in December 2018.