NASA closes the book on epic OSIRIS-REx asteroid-sampling mission: 'I am immensely proud of what we did'

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission concluded its operations on September 30, 2026, marking the official end of a groundbreaking journey through our solar system. The spacecraft successfully delivered approximately 60 grams of material from the asteroid Bennu to Earth, representing one of NASA’s most ambitious planetary science endeavors. Scientists anticipate analyzing these samples for decades to come, unlocking crucial insights into the formation and evolution of both asteroids and our own planet. Mission principal investigator Michael Drake stated he was “immensely proud of what we did,” highlighting the team's dedication and technical achievements. This historic sample return provides an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the building blocks of life in the early solar system.