Moog Space Hardware to Travel on OSIRIS REx Asteroid Study and Sample Return Mission

September 9, 2016

On September 8, 2016 an Atlas-V launch vehicle successfully deployed the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Study and Sample Return Mission. The mission is to study the near Earth asteroid Bennu and to return to Earth in 2023 with a sample of Bennu for detailed analysis. The samples are expected to enable scientists to learn more about the time before the formation and evolution of the Solar System, initial stages of planet formation, and the source of organic compounds which led to the formation of life.

A NASA New Frontier program, the spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Arizona State University.  Moog provided Lockheed Martin with latch valves and fill and drain valves for the hydrazine propulsion system.  In addition, Moog provided hybrid microcircuits to Lockheed Martin.  Moog also provided electronics to Arizona State University for integration on to the OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer. 

For more information on the OSIRIS-REx mission, visit www.asteroidmission.org

Moog Inc. is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems. Moog’s high-performance systems control military and commercial aircraft, satellites and space vehicles, launch vehicles, missiles, automated industrial machinery, wind energy, marine and medical equipment. Additional information about the company can be found at www.moog.com. Additional information about Moog’s Space Sector can be found at www.moog.com/space.