The 45th Space Wing supported NASA’s successful launch of the OSIRIS REx spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 here September 8 at 7:05 ET. This is the first mission that will travel to near-Earth asteroid Bennu to collect surface samples. As planned, the spacecraft will reach its asteroid target in 2018 and return a sample to Earth in 2023, according to NASA. (Courtesy photo/United Launch Alliance)

---

Size: 1800px × 1337px
Photo credit: © AB Forces News Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: tobennuandback