NASA’s Asteroid Chaser Swings By Earth On Way To Space Rock

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s asteroid-chasing spacecraft is swinging by Earth on Friday on its way to a space rock.
Launched a year ago, Osiris-Rex was on track to pass within about 11,000 miles (17,700 kilometers) of the home planet Friday afternoon — above Antarctica. It needs Earth’s gravity as a slingshot to put it on a path toward the asteroid Bennu.
Osiris-Rex should reach the small, roundish asteroid next year and, in 2020, collect some of its gravel for retu