Space – Three missions are being built to intercept and study apophis, asteroids near the earth nicknamed the gods of chaos or destruction. However, the 340 meter wide god will approach the earth in close range on Friday, April 13, 2029.
Although it is predicted not to threaten the life of the earth, various institutions around the world are trying to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The three missions that are preparing are Ramses, Destiny+ and Osiris-Apex. The three space rides will sit in the forefront of the earth-apophis meeting stage later.
Ramses (Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety) owned by the European Space Agency (ESA) was built based on the legacy of Hera’s mission which also focused on the planet’s defense mission of Apophis. According to Professor at Padua University, Monica Lazzarin, the preparation of Ramses was going well.
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Ramses will be launched in the spring 2028, to approach Apophis. It will characterize the asteroid in detail, including its orbit, the state of rotation, internal structure, and surface changes. “Also studying how the tidal style is natural from a meeting near Planet with Earth affecting Apophis,” Lazzarin said as reported by Space.com, Saturday, September 20, 2025.
In its mission, Ramses will carry two cubesats that will be released when the asteroid approaches. One of them will land in Apophis, carrying a navigation camera, a seismometer, and magnetometer. The Japanese Dirgantara Exploration Agency (JAXA) has provided thermal infrared cameras and other instruments for Ramses missions.
The second mission, Destiny+ is Jaxa’s own design to visit Apophis. Lazzarin stated, Destiny+ will be launched with Ramses using Japanese H3 rocket. To note, Europe has yet to have a suitable rocket for space missions.
The third mission of the geminid meteor rain object is Osiris -apex owned by the American Space Agency (NASA) which is already in outer space. That is a continuation of the Bennu Asteroid Sampling Mission some time ago.
“Osiris -apex is on his way and prepares to meet with Apophis,” said Michael Nolan, Deputy Head of the Mission Researcher.
If everything goes smoothly, the three space rides will work together to achieve a deeper understanding of apophis and their interactions with the earth. The operational team is discussing how they coordinate to optimize observation and data collection.
“The space vehicle has different strengths,” Nolan said. However, he said, with the science team that communicated with each other, he was sure Apophis could be learned to the maximum. “That’s better than we can do individually.”
On April 13, 2029, Apophis will pass safely through the earth, closer than geosyncron satellite orbit. In addition to the visiting space vehicles, 2 billion people can witness the event with the naked eye. Are we in Indonesia included?
Source: space.com
