What is OSIRIS-REx?
- It is a new variant of the novel Coronavirus
- It is the moon mission of JAXA
- It is the name of the latest launch vehicle of ESA
- It is a NASA asteroid-study mission
- It is the last satellite launched by ISRO
The Correct Option is D
Approach Solution - 1
The Correct Answer is: NASA's asteroid-study mission "OSIRIS-REx". Let us understand why this is the correct answer by examining each option:
- Option:
It is a new variant of the novel Coronavirus
- Explanation: "OSIRIS-REx" is not related to any virus or Coronavirus. The term is associated with a space mission rather than a pandemic or medical situation.
- Option:
It is the moon mission of JAXA
- Explanation: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has conducted moon missions, such as the SELENE (Kaguya) project, but "OSIRIS-REx" is not one of them.
- Option:
It is the name of the latest launch vehicle of ESA
- Explanation: The European Space Agency (ESA) has a range of launch vehicles, but "OSIRIS-REx" is not associated with any of them. ESA uses names like Ariane, Vega, etc.
- Option:
It is a NASA asteroid-study mission
- Explanation: This is the correct answer. "OSIRIS-REx" stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer. It is a NASA mission aimed at studying an asteroid named Bennu, with objectives related to returning samples to Earth and a deeper understanding of the asteroid's composition. The mission was successfully launched in September 2016.
- Option:
It is the last satellite launched by ISRO
- Explanation: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launches various satellites but does not have a mission named "OSIRIS-REx". ISRO names its missions differently, often based on regional languages or specific scientific goals like "Chandrayaan" or "Mangalyaan".
Conclusion: The name "OSIRIS-REx" specifically corresponds to a NASA mission to study an asteroid, making option 4 the correct and logical answer.
Approach Solution -2
The correct answer to the question "What is OSIRIS-REx?" is: "It is a NASA asteroid-study mission".
OSIRIS-REx stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer. The mission was primarily aimed at studying the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Launched by NASA, this spacecraft was designed to collect samples from the surface of Bennu and return them to Earth for detailed analysis. The mission objectives were to analyze the asteroid's properties, map its surface, document the sampling site, and return at least 60 grams of surface material. This mission contributes to our understanding of the origin of our solar system, as asteroids are considered remnants from the early solar system.
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