Who here is an astrophysicist? I am reading about the OSIRIS-REx probe sent to Bennu. Because the gravity is so low, it is difficult to keep the probe in orbit. My question is, why bother? Would it not be simpler to just let the probe bump down onto the asteroid after doing a photo survey on approach? They have to match speeds anyway and I would think it would be easier just to let gravity join it up with the asteroid rather than try to stay in orbit. When it is time to leave, it shouldn't be difficult to achieve escape velocity. Can someone explain this please?
