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The Upcoming Re-Entry of the Osiris-Rex Return Capsule: Plans for a Coordinated Seismo-Acoustic Observational Campaign

Description: 

Upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere at hypervelocity, meteoroids and asteroids (>1 m in diameter) undergo complex processes as they encounter denser regions of the atmosphere. The resultant visual phenomenon is called a meteor, with very bright meteors known as fireballs and bolides. Meteoroids and asteroids are of broad scientific interest, from planetary sciences to hypersonic physics. However, impacts into the Earth’s atmosphere are sporadic and unannounced, making it impractical to plan a multi-instrument observation campaign aimed at studying and characterizing these objects. Arriving from interplanetary space at hypervelocity, Sample Return Capsules (SRCs) are considered analogues for low velocity meteoroids and asteroids, and as such provide an unprecedented and unique opportunity to perform detailed studies. The next opportunity will present itself on 24 September 2023 with the re-entry of the OSIRIS-REx SRC that will bring samples of the carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Landing is planned over the region enclosed by an 80 km long and 20 km wide ellipse at the Utah Test and Training Range, Utah, USA. This re-entry presents a unique and exceptional opportunity to observe a well-defined artificial meteor, to perform detailed studies of hypersonic entry and event characterization, to test sensors, and to validate and improve models. Sandia National Laboratories will organize and lead multi-instrument observations of the OSIRIS-REx SRC re-entry. Instruments will include infrasound and seismic sensors strategically positioned in the immediate and extended region around the projected re-entry trajectory to maximize the scientific output. Data collected during this observational campaign will be made freely available to the broad scientific community following publication.

SNL is managed and operated by NTESS under DOE NNSA contract DE-NA000352.

Session: Detecting, Locating, Characterizing and Monitoring Non-earthquake Seismoacoustic Sources

Type: Oral

Date: 4/19/2023

Presentation Time: 02:30 PM (local time)

Presenting Author: Sarah A. Albert

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors