NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security – Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission returned to Earth in September 2023 to drop off a sample of rocks and dust from the near-Earth, carbonaceous asteroid Bennu. The first U.S. mission to collect untouched, pristine material from an asteroid is giving scientists a glimpse into the early solar system and insight into the origins of life on Earth. We featured OSIRIS-REx before collection day in 2020. Now, we revisit the mission with an update on sample collection, the delivery of the “time capsule” to Earth and the research uncovering the secrets of the solar system.

Listen now as SwRI planetary geologist and OSIRIS-REx co-investigator and instrument scientist Dr. Vicky Hamilton discusses mission milestones, the research team’s surprise findings and what OSIRIS-REx is uncovering about the ingredients of life. Plus, Hamilton briefs us on the latest developments of NASA’s Lucy mission.

Episode 81: OSIRIS-REx Findings

Technology Today Podcast launched in November 2018, offering a new way to listen and learn about the technology, science, engineering and research impacting our lives and changing our world. The podcast is presented by Southwest Research Institute, a nonprofit contract R&D organization developing innovative solutions for government and industry clients. Podcast host Lisa Peña is breaking through the tech jargon and talking to the scientists, engineers and researchers building the future of technology. It’s a conversation bringing tech to life and helping us understand how technology, science, engineering and research link to our daily lives.