SOL SYSTEM - 03 Dec 2018 - NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer ( OSIRIS-REx )

SOL SYSTEM - 03 Dec 2018 - NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer ( OSIRIS-REx ) spacecraft completed its 1.2 billion-mile (2 billion-kilometer) journey to arrive at the asteroid Bennu late Monday 03 Dec 2018. The spacecraft executed a maneuver that transitioned it from flying toward Bennu to operating around the asteroid. Now, at about 11.8 miles (19 kilometers) from Bennu’s Sun-facing surface, OSIRIS-REx will begin a preliminary survey of the asteroid. The spacecraft will commence flyovers of Bennu’s north pole, equatorial region, and south pole, getting as close as nearly 4 miles (7 kilometers) above Bennu during each flyover - Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona