Europe’s Bold Mission: Aiming to Land a Mini Spacecraft on the Infamous Asteroid Apophis in 2029

Once seen as a potential threat to Earth, the asteroid Apophis is now viewed as an exciting opportunity for exploration. This 1,100-foot-wide (340 meters) rock, also called asteroid 99942, is set to make a close but safe flyby of Earth on April 13, 2029.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is gearing up for this moment by launching its Ramses mission in 2028. This project aims to gather data about Apophis before and after the flyby. The spacecraft will study the asteroid’s surface, composition, and orbit. Scientists are especially interested in how Earth’s gravity might change Apophis, possibly altering its surface and internal structure.

To enhance the mission, ESA plans to include a second cubesat to land on Apophis. Leading this challenging endeavor is the Spanish company Emxys. Paolo Martino, the Ramses project manager, emphasized the difficulties in landing on an asteroid, stating, “The irregular shape and weak gravity make it tough to find a stable spot.”

The main Ramses spacecraft is based on ESA’s Hera probe, which is currently heading to the Didymos asteroid system to study the effects of NASA’s 2022 DART mission. However, the Ramses mission still needs financial backing from ESA member states at an upcoming Ministerial Council meeting.

Meanwhile, NASA is also interested in studying Apophis. At a recent workshop in Tokyo, scientists suggested repurposing the Janus spacecraft for a new mission focused on Apophis. Unfortunately, budget constraints are holding NASA back from pursuing this. Nicky Fox, NASA’s associate administrator for science, mentioned that any progress depends on budget allocations for the upcoming years, which are uncertain due to proposed cuts to NASA funding.

Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which recently collected samples from the asteroid Bennu, is extending its mission to visit Apophis. It is expected to arrive shortly after the asteroid’s flyby in 2029.

Additionally, the launch delay of Japan’s DESTINY+ mission, which aims to study asteroid 3200 Phaethon, presents a chance for a flyby of Apophis as well. The team behind the Apophis T-4 workshop emphasizes the importance of thorough investigations beyond mere flybys. They argue that the close approach presents a vital chance for planetary defense research.

As the world watches Apophis, there is a clear call for international collaboration and funding to achieve significant scientific objectives. According to the workshop summary, “Time is of the essence for moving forward,” and ensuring that projects like Ramses, OSIRIS-APEX, and DESTINY+ are fully supported is crucial.

In summary, the upcoming close encounter with Apophis is more than just a flyby; it’s an opportunity for scientific advancement and international cooperation. This mission could shape the future of planetary defense and deepen our understanding of asteroids.

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