The Four-Part Landing Maneuver
The TAGSAM maneuver was a complex four-part process. Starting at the “safe-home terminator orbit” of Bennu, the spacecraft moved to the daylight side of the asteroid at a position known as Checkpoint. It then shifted to Matchpoint, a mere 55 meters above the surface, ensuring a slow descent rate of 10 cm/s upon contact with the asteroid. During this phase, the spacecraft relied on onboard accelerometers and the delta-v update (DVU) algorithm to accurately estimate its relative position. The final maneuver involved gently backing away from Bennu, securing the collected samples.
Continuing Exploration
The success of the OSIRIS-REx mission opens the door to further exploration. An updated and enhanced version of the NFT navigation system is expected to be incorporated into future missions, such as OSIRIS-APEX. This improved system will enhance autonomy and reduce the involvement of ground crews, making future missions even more efficient.
