Houston, we have a podcast. Welcome to the official podcast of the NASA Johnson Space

Center episode 306. Return of OREX Part 2. I'm Gary Jordan. I'll be your host today.

On this podcast, we're bringing the expert scientists, engineers, and astronauts all

to let you know what's going on in the world of human spaceflight and more. On its way

back to Earth, as we speak, is a mission called Osiris Rex, or Origins, Spectral Interpretation,

Resource Identification, and Security, Regolith Explorer. This spacecraft launched in 2016

to rendezvous with an asteroid called Bennu in 2018. And once it got there, it did not

orbit or crash land. Now, this spacecraft had a more gentle arrival, so it can take pieces

of the asteroid with it on a trip back to Earth. With actual samples of the asteroid in

tow, there are seemingly endless ways the scientists can use powerful Earthbound instruments

to help humanity uncover the secrets of the universe. Earlier this year, we sat down with

Mike Moro and Nicole Lunning to learn about the preparations that were underway to prepare

for the samples return on September 24th of this year. We talked a lot about Osiris Rex,

the science, the mission, but I feel like we only skimmed the surface of what goes on

here at the Johnson Space Center. Because once OREX touches down, the next stop is here.

And it's where the science really takes off. But only if the samples are handled correctly.

This is where the small particles experts come in. On this episode is Christopher Sneed,

Advanced Small Particles Lead in Johnson's Astral Materials Acquisition and Curation Office,

and Madi Tsa Montoya goes by Madi. Small particles processor to go deeper into the curation

process and what will happen after Osiris Rex returns just a few days from the release

of this episode. With that, here's Christopher and Madi. Enjoy.

Christopher and Madi, thank you so much for coming on Houston. We have a podcast.

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