The objective of the OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Participating Scientist Program (ORSA-PSP) is to enhance the scientific return during the sample analysis operational phase of the OSIRIS-REx mission (October 1, 2021 to September 23, 2025) by expanding participation in the mission through new investigations that broaden and/or complement existing investigations.
In order to meet the ORSA-PSP objective to expand participation in the mission, existing OSIRIS-REx Co-Is or paid collaborators may not be the PI or Science PI of a proposal to this program element. See Section 2.1 for the implications of selection of a proposal containing work efforts by existing OSIRIS-REx team members.
OSIRIS-REx launched September 8, 2016, with the primary objective of traveling to the near-Earth (Apollo-type, spectral class B) asteroid 101955 Bennu, obtaining a sample containing at least 60 g of regolith material, and delivering this sample back to Earth. On October 20, 2020, the mission successfully collected and later stowed a bulk sample of regolith, likely exceeding the 60-g requirement. Accompanying the bulk sample is a set of 24 contact pads designed to capture small particles during interaction of the collection mechanism with the asteroid's surface. As of the time of this program element, the spacecraft is on its return cruise back to Earth, with re-entry of the sample return capsule and recovery operations scheduled for September 24, 2023.
NOTICE: Amended December 17, 2021. This amendment presents a new Opportunity in ROSES-2021 with the release of this Program Element. Due dates will remain TBD until all of the critical supporting documents are available for download on the NSPIRES page for this program element under other documents. Once that occurs, the due date for Step-2 proposals will be released via Amendment to ROSES Proposals to this program element need not include a Data Management Plan. Proposals submitted to this program will be evaluated using a dual-anonymous review process. Proposals must be prepared according to the guidelines in Section 3.2 and in the associated "Guidelines for Anonymous Proposals" document under "Other Documents" on the NSPIRES page for this program element.
