How It Works: NASA Asteroid-Capture Mission in Pictures

Asteroid Capture Mission Spacewalk

Once docked to their asteroid target, astronauts aboard a NASA Orion spacecraft venture on a spacewalk to explore the asteroid's surface and collect samples in this still from a video depicting the agency's Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission. [Full Story]

Two Astronauts on Spacewalk During Asteroid Capture Mission

Two astronauts from a NASA Orion spacecraft venture on a spacewalk to explore an asteroid's surface and collect samples in this still from a video depicting the agency's Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission. [Full Story]

Sample Taken During Asteroid Capture Mission

Astronauts collect samples from an asteroid while orbiting high above the moon in this still image from a video NASA's Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission. [Full Story]

Astronauts Return Samples from Asteroid Capture Mission

Astronauts return samples from an asteroid into their Orion spacecraft while orbiting high above the moon in this still image from a video NASA's Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission. [Full Story]

Exploring Shrink-Wrapped Asteroid During Asteroid Capture Mission

After exploring a shrink-wrapped asteroid orbiting the moon, astronauts aboard a NASA Orion spacecraft depart the area to return samples back to Earth in this still from a video depicting the agency's Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission. [Full Story]

Orion Spacecraft Re-entry After Asteroid Capture Mission

This still from a NASA video shows an Orion spacecraft about to re-enter Earth's atmosphere after visiting an asteroid parked in orbit around the moon during the Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission. [Full Story]

Orion Spacecraft Splashdown After Asteroid Capture Mission

This still from a NASA video shows an Orion spacecraft about splashing down after visiting an asteroid parked in orbit around the moon during the Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission. [Full Story]

Asteroid Capturing Spacecraft Concept

A notional NASA concept of a solar-electric-powered spacecraft, designed to capture a small near-Earth asteroid and relocate it safely close to the Earth-moon system so astronauts can explore it.