In a bold extension of its mission, the spacecraft formerly known as OSIRIS-REx embarks on an unprecedented journey to explore asteroid Apophis.
A celestial body is poised for a groundbreaking Earth flyby in 2029, an occurrence unprecedented in recorded history.
Now rebranded as OSIRIS-APEX (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Apophis Explorer), the spacecraft builds on its past success to explore uncharted cosmic territories.
The odyssey of OSIRIS-REx has been nothing short of remarkable. Covering a distance of 4 billion miles over seven years, the spacecraft completed an extraordinary expedition, returning to Earth with a sample from the asteroid Bennu in September. This achievement marked a pinnacle in space exploration. With its instruments still in optimal condition and a significant portion of its fuel reserves intact, the decision to repurpose the spacecraft for a new mission became a logical and exciting progression.
The decision to embark on an exploration mission to the asteroid Apophis was driven by NASA’s evaluation of various potential destinations, including Venus and several comets. Apophis, classified as an “S-type” asteroid due to its composition of silicate materials and nickel-iron, provides a stark contrast to the carbon-rich, “C-type” asteroid Bennu. In a bold extension
What makes Apophis particularly intriguing is its remarkably close approach to Earth. On April 13, 2029, Apophis is expected to pass within 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of Earth’s surface, a proximity closer than some satellites. This event holds the potential to be visible to the naked eye in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Given its size, approximately 367 yards (340 meters) across, asteroids of Apophis’s magnitude typically come into such close proximity to Earth only once every 7,500 years. This extraordinary rarity presents an invaluable opportunity for scientific exploration and a deeper understanding of celestial bodies.