Asteroid the size of a cruise ship to approach Earth — ESA probe takes off to meet it

The European Space Agency (ESA) is planning to send the «Ramses» spacecraft to track the asteroid Apophis as it approaches our planet on April 13, 2029. The 375-meter diameter asteroid will fly at a distance of only 32,000 kilometers from Earth — closer than some satellites in orbit.

Despite the close passage, Apophis does not pose a threat to the Earth. NASA scientists have confirmed that there is no risk of collision at least for the next century. However, this approach provides a unique opportunity for research. Astronomers believe that an asteroid of this size approaches the Earth only once every 5000-10,000 years.

ESA plans to launch «Ramses» in April 2028 so that it arrives at Apophis two months before the approach to Earth. The final decision on the mission will be made in November 2025.

Apophis is interesting to scientists as a rocky S-type asteroid. Such objects are the most common class of potentially hazardous asteroids. The study of its composition and properties will help develop methods to protect the Earth from possible collisions in the future.

«Ramses» will observe Apophis before and after its passage by Earth. This will allow us to study how the gravity of our planet will affect the asteroid. Scientists expect to see changes in the shape, orientation, and rotation of the space body.

NASA will also join the study of Apophis. The spacecraft OSIRIS-APEX, which recently delivered samples from the asteroid Bennu, will travel to Apophis as soon as it approaches the Earth.

Cooperation between ESA and NASA in the study of asteroids is not new. Earlier, the agencies successfully conducted the DART mission to deflect the asteroid Dimorphos. The European probe «Hera» will go to study the consequences of this experiment in October this year.

Source: CNN