CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The asteroid probe set two records: Bennu is the smallest body a spacecraft has ever orbited (the space rock has a diameter of 1,640 feet, or 500 meters), and OSIRIS-REx performed the closest orbit ever of a small body, at just 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the surface.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) is the first U.S. spacecraft to collect a sample from an asteroid. OSIRIS-REx traveled to near-Earth asteroid Bennu and is bringing a small sample to Earth for study.

Detailed explanation-3: -What was NEAR Shoemaker? NASA’s NEAR was the first spacecraft to orbit an asteroid and also was the first to land on one. NEAR’s landing on Eros marked the first time a U.S. spacecraft was the first to land on a celestial body, having been beaten by the Soviets in landing on the Moon, Mars, and Venus.

Detailed explanation-4: -NASA says its asteroid defense test was a success : NPR. NASA says its asteroid defense test was a success NASA smashed a spacecraft into an asteroid in an attempt to throw it off course. The mission succeeded beyond expectations, officials said.

Detailed explanation-5: -NASA got a big surprise when it landed a spacecraft on the asteroid Bennu in 2020 and blasted a huge crater in the rocky body - but the learning experience could help save the Earth if an asteroid ever threatens to wipe us out.