Dante Lauretta (updated) head shot

Dante Lauretta

OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator, University of Arizona

Dante Lauretta's research interests focus on the origin and chemical evolution of the solar system. His main focus is the formation and alteration of minerals in the solar nebula and on meteorite parent asteroids. He is also working on the application of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to geologic studies. In addition, he is studying the extent of Hg isotopic fractionation in natural systems. This project represents a potentially new stable isotope system with applications in meteoritics, geology, biogeochemistry, and environmental studies.

Latest Articles

OSIRIS-REx Passes EMI/EMC Testing

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has completed the Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) system level test.

How REXIS Made It on OSIRIS-REx

The OSIRIS-REx instrument team has successfully installed the Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (REXIS) on the spacecraft. However, there is more to the story of how REXIS made it onto the spacecraft.

OSIRIS-REx Completes Mechanical Environmental Testing

The OSIRIS-REx team successfully and safely completed sine vibration (sine vibe) testing on the spacecraft prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. The sine vibe tests are designed to verify the system performs as expected after being exposed to flight-like low frequency vibration input.

Latest Planetary Radio Appearances

A Deep Dive into Asteroid Bennu With Dante Lauretta

The leader of the OSIRIS REx asteroid sample return mission shares more details of last week’s encounter in an exclusive interview, while we also learn about the proposed mission to look for life on Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

Sampling an Asteroid and Searching for Life in Venus' Clouds

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft appears to have collected its first sample from asteroid Bennu, while a team led by Jane Greaves has discovered what could be evidence of life in the clouds of Venus.

The Coming Descent to Asteroid Bennu

OSIRIS-REx mission leader Dante Lauretta takes us to mysterious asteroid Bennu where a first sample collection site has been selected.