Spacecraft makes quick fly pass Earth

NASA’s asteroid-chasing spacecraft swung by Earth on Friday on its way to a space rock. Launched a year ago, Osiris-Rex passed within 17,237 kilometres of the home planet early Friday afternoon — above Antarctica. It used Earth’s gravity as a slingshot to put it on a path toward the asteroid Bennu. OsirisRex should reach the asteroid next year and, in 2020, collect some of its gravel for return to Earth. If all goes well, scientists should get the samples in 2023.