On April 13, 2029, the asteroid Apophis, measuring about 375 meters wide, will pass within 19,635 miles (31,600 kilometers) of Earth, becoming visible to the naked eye from parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. This close approach is a rare event, occurring only once every 5,000-10,000 years.
In anticipation of this significant event, the European Space Agency (ESA) has announced the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES), set to launch in April 2028. The spacecraft will rendezvous with Apophis in February 2029, just before its flyby. RAMSES aims to perform a comprehensive survey of the asteroid's shape, surface, orbit, rotation, and orientation, as well as observe the effects of Earth's gravity on it.
Patrick Michel, Director of Research at CNRS at Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, emphasized the unique opportunity presented by Apophis, stating, 'For the first time, nature is bringing one to us and conducting the experiment itself.' The mission will provide crucial data that could enhance future planetary defense strategies.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, now renamed OSIRIS-APEX, will also study Apophis a month after its flyby, allowing for a comparative analysis of the asteroid before and after its close encounter with Earth. Richard Moissl, head of ESA's Planetary Defence Office, noted that RAMSES represents a significant step in humanity's ability to respond to potentially hazardous asteroids.
Despite initial fears regarding a possible impact, astronomers confirmed that Apophis poses no threat to Earth for at least the next century. However, the close flyby in 2029 could alter its trajectory, increasing uncertainty in its future orbit.