About this episode
How OSIRIS-REx's journey to Asteroid Bennu could reveal clues to the origins of life on Earth. Welcome to the finale of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 7! In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette share stories from filming around the U.S. to learn more about OSIRIS-REx's journey to Asteroid Bennu. Join us as we discuss how meteorites helped launch the O-REx idea, designing the spacecraft, touring the asteroid testing wall, and solving problems millions of miles from Earth. This one is going to be cool! Check out the full-length video on PBS or our YouTube channel on November 27. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on! As we conclude our miniseries, our regular podcast returns on November 24 with a conversation about the Harrier aircraft. Tune in to hear inside stories on flying the Jump Jet and its hovering ability! Full Season Premiere Schedule: PBS: Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT Wings’ YouTube Channel: Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT Chapters: (00:00) - Intro (00:27) - OSIRIS-REx Overview (01:28) - A 20-Year Mission (03:23) - The Antarctic Asteroid Team (04:53) - Why Bennu? (05:52) - The TAG System (07:50) - The Backup Plan (09:20) - Landing Site (09:53) - Collecting the First Samples (10:50) - Bringing Material Back to Earth (13:14) - Bennu Tea (13:52) - The Next Generation's Research (14:12) - OSIRIS-REx's Future (14:55) - Outro