What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Three missions are set to intercept and study the asteroid Apophis during its close encounter with Earth in 2029. The European Space Agency's Ramses mission, Japan's DESTINY+ mission, and NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission will collaborate to gather data on Apophis. Ramses aims to characterize the asteroid's orbit, structure, and surface changes, while DESTINY+ will encounter Apophis before heading to its ultimate destination. OSIRIS-APEX, an extension of the OSIRIS-REx mission, is preparing for the encounter despite budgetary challenges.
Why It's Important?
Studying Apophis provides a unique opportunity to understand asteroid behavior and improve planetary defense strategies. The collaboration between international space agencies highlights the importance of global efforts in addressing space threats. The data collected will enhance scientific knowledge and inform future missions, contributing to the safety and security of Earth.
What's Next?
The missions are scheduled to launch and intercept Apophis in 2029, with coordination activities planned to optimize observations. Continued support and funding from space agencies will be crucial for mission success. The data collected will contribute to ongoing research and improve planetary defense capabilities.
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