The goal of OSIRIS-REx(Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) is operated by NASA to obtain a sample of a near-Earth asteroid named Bennu and learn about formation and evolution of the Solar System.[14] Osiris-REx was launched on 8 September 2016 and reached the proximities of Bennu on 3 December 2018.[15] On 20 October 2020, it reached Bennu and successfully collected a sample.[16] Prior to the collection process, the spacecraft descended slowly to minimize thruster firings prior to contact in order to avoid asteroid surface contamination. During the collection process, a burst of nitrogen was released to blow regolith particles smaller than 2 cm into the sampler head. The process took only 5 seconds to avoid potential collision with the asteroid.