In this "captivating, behind-the-scenes account" of NASA’s historic mission to return an asteroid sample and unlock the mystery of life on earth, readers will experience the daring mission while learning about its brave crew  (Sara Seager). On September 11, 1999, humanity made a monumental discovery: an asteroid as massive as an aircraft carrier and towering as high as the Empire State Building. This cosmic titan (later named Bennu) belonged to a rare breed of asteroids capable of revealing the essence of life itself. But just as Bennu became a beacon of promise, researchers identified a grave danger. Hurtling through space, it threatens to collide with our planet on September 24, 2182.  Leading the expedition was Dr. Dante Lauretta, the Principal Investigator of NASA's audacious OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. His team embarked on a quest to retrieve a precious sample from the asteroid's surface — one that held the potential to not only unlock the secrets of life's origins, but also to avert an unprecedented catastrophe.  A tale of destiny and danger, The Asteroid Hunter chronicles the high-stakes mission firsthand and promises a rare glimpse into the tightly woven fabric of scientific exploration, where technical precision converges with humanity’s profound curiosity and indominable spirit.   Now in paperback with an exciting bonus chapter! “Lauretta’s account of a historic mission is an impressive combination of fascinating science and human inspiration.”― Kirkus Reviews, starred review "[Lauretta] is a talented storyteller, spinning a gripping narrative out of scientists’ efforts to overcome unforeseen obstacles under intense pressure. Armchair astronomers should consider this a must read." ― Publisher's Weekly, starred review "It's rare that a book with such an epic premise delivers on the excitement teased by its cinematic title.  The Asteroid Hunter  joins this elite club with its story of the OSIRIS-REx mission, definitively relayed by Dante S. Lauretta"― Scientific American "[Dante Lauretta] confronted personal, technical, and bureaucratic challenges and steered the OSIRIS-REx mission to success. The Asteroid Hunter invites readers to join him on that adventure. It is worth the trip."― Science Magazine "[A] deeply personal tale of space exploration, written by the leader of one of NASA’s most daring robotic missions."― American Scientist " The Asteroid Hunter  works on several levels. It is a marvelous adventure story and a real-life space thriller about a bold exploratory mission. It is a marvelous examination of the process involved in conducting a science mission. It presents the scientific, technical and bureaucratic challenges to be overcome. It is also a delightful personal story, revealing the hopes and aspirations of a man with a personal mission to unlock the secrets of the origins of our universe. It is an exhilarating book."― National Space Society "Muscular tale of bravado and conquest is the story one expects from “The Asteroid Hunter,” but it isn’t the most interesting story in the book. Instead, what makes Lauretta’s memoir compelling is the vein of fragility that runs through it.”― Washington Post "This very enjoyable, insightful and moving volume is must reading for all that hunger to understand the rough and tumble cosmos at large – along with the delicate nature and audacity of human spirit necessary to tangle with the unknown." ― Leonard David's Inside Outer Space "[A] detailed, personal, and highly poignant inside look into one of the most daring and successful robotic space missions ever attempted. What a ride!"― Daily Kos “Like all the best scientists, Dante is an artist.  His creative vision for the NASA OSIRIS REx mission eventually led to a perfect rendezvous with the near-Earth asteroid Bennu - Dante tells the story of the rocky road which led him to pilot this extraordinary mission, in a way which constantly draws us in, and vividly communicates to us the stress and excitement of every step.  This book is a brilliant account of a 21st century real-life fantasy - essential reading for anyone with a nagging curiosity about how and why we came to be here on planet Earth.” ― Sir Brian May "A beautifully written, first-hand report from the scientific leader of an awe-inspiring NASA mission, aimed at the pioneering delivery of material from an ancient asteroid to Earth. While the book educates us about the technological heights of human ingenuity, the returned asteroid material would teach us about our cosmic roots within the solar system and the organic molecules that sourced life on Earth."― Avi Loeb, Professor of Science at Harvard University and bestselling author of Extraterrestrial "In this captivating, behind-the-scenes account of the OSIRIS-REx NASA asteroid sample return mission, PI Dante Lauretta provides an unmatched portrayal of the joys and challenges from an insider's perspective. A fascinating read."― Sara Seager, Prof