OSIRIS-REx Slings Orbital Web Around Asteroid to Capture Sample | 4K

Yes, that is correct. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft used a technique called "orbital web weaving" to capture a sample from the asteroid Bennu. This involved the spacecraft flying in a series of increasingly close orbits around the asteroid, gradually lowering its altitude until it was close enough to touch the surface.

The orbital web weaving technique was chosen because it was the safest and most effective way to collect a sample from Bennu. The asteroid is very small and irregularly shaped, and it is covered in boulders and other debris. If the spacecraft had simply tried to land on Bennu, there was a risk that it could have been damaged or destroyed.

The orbital web weaving technique allowed the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to carefully approach Bennu and select a safe spot to collect a sample. On October 20, 2020, the spacecraft successfully touched the surface of Bennu and collected a sample of about 60 grams of material.

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is now on its way back to Earth, and it is scheduled to arrive in September 2023. The sample capsule will be released from the spacecraft and parachuted to the ground in the Utah desert. The scientists are eager to study the sample and learn more about the origins of the solar system.

Here is a video of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft using the orbital web weaving technique to collect a sample from Bennu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx1r3HPGC_c

I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you have any other questions.