University of Maryland's TERP RAPTOR Aims to Replace NASA's Apophis Explorer Amid Budget Cuts

What's Happening?

NASA is facing potential budget cuts that could jeopardize its mission to study the asteroid Apophis during its close fly-by of Earth in 2029. In response, the University of Maryland is developing the Terrapin Engineered Rideshare Probe for Rapid-response Asteroid Apophis, Profiling, Tracking, Observing, and Reconnaissance mission, known as TERP RAPTOR. This cubesat mission aims to study Apophis for scientific and planetary defense purposes. The project is led by Adrienne Rudolph and is designed to be a cost-effective alternative to NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission, which is at risk of being defunded under the Trump administration's proposed fiscal 2026 budget. The University of Maryland team is working to secure the estimated $10 million needed for the mission and is seeking sponsorships to fund the project.

Why It's Important?

The potential cancellation of NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission highlights the challenges faced by space exploration initiatives due to budget constraints. The University of Maryland's TERP RAPTOR project represents a significant opportunity for academia to contribute to planetary defense and scientific research. If successful, the mission could provide valuable data on Apophis, enhancing our understanding of near-Earth objects and improving planetary protection strategies. The initiative also underscores the importance of university-led projects in filling gaps left by government funding shortfalls, potentially setting a precedent for future collaborations between academic institutions and space agencies.

What's Next?

The University of Maryland team is focused on derisking the TERP RAPTOR design and securing the necessary funding to proceed. They are also exploring options for launching the cubesat, with a flexible launch window between October 2028 and March 2029. Brent Barbee, a mission team member, has called on Congress to hold hearings on Apophis to raise awareness of the scientific opportunities and planetary protection benefits that could be missed without adequate funding. The team hopes that increased attention will lead to financial support from sponsors or government appropriations.