Timberland Helicopters Inc., a helicopter service provider based in Ashland, Oregon, has announced its pivotal role in successfully recovering the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission. 

The spacecraft, which made history by collecting samples from the asteroid Bennu, safely landed in the Utah desert’s Dugway Proving Ground on Sept. 24, 2023.

The OSIRIS-REx mission, which began in 2016, aimed to gather samples from the surface of Bennu, an asteroid that orbits the sun at a distance closer than Earth. After a journey spanning millions of miles and several years, the spacecraft successfully touched down on Bennu in 2020, collecting a significant amount of material. 

This mission’s success marks a monumental achievement for NASA and the broader scientific community, offering insights into the early solar system and the origins of life on Earth.

Timberland Helicopters, Inc., played a crucial role in the mission’s final stages. Timberland’s team was on standby as the spacecraft descended to Earth, ready to assist in the recovery process. 

Once the capsule landed in the Utah desert, Timberland’s helicopters were among the first on the scene, ensuring the safe retrieval and transportation of the precious cargo to NASA’s facilities.

“We are incredibly honored to have been a part of this historic mission,” said Mark Gibson, president of Timberland Helicopters, Inc.

“Our team’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence were evident throughout the recovery process. We are proud to have contributed to a mission that will undoubtedly advance our understanding of the universe.”

The samples collected by OSIRIS-REx are expected to provide invaluable data for researchers worldwide. Scientists believe that the material from Bennu may contain organic molecules, which could offer clues about the building blocks of life.