NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has undergone a name change and is now known as OSIRIS-APEX. This newly named spacecraft is about to embark on an extraordinary mission to explore the asteroid Apophis. What makes this mission particularly exciting is the fact that Apophis will make its historic flyby of Earth in 2029, coming even closer to our planet than some satellites. In fact, it may even be visible to the naked eye in certain parts of the Eastern Hemisphere.
The decision to explore Apophis was driven by its intriguingly close approach and the unique scientific opportunities it presents. OSIRIS-APEX aims to study Apophis immediately after its close pass with Earth in order to observe any surface changes caused by Earth’s gravitational interaction with the asteroid. This will provide invaluable insights into tidal forces and rubble pile accumulation, fundamental processes that may have played a role in planet formation.
The mission is set to begin on April 2, 2029, when OSIRIS-APEX will start imaging Apophis. The spacecraft will operate near the asteroid for approximately 18 months after its arrival on April 13, 2029. During this time, it will map the surface, analyze its chemical makeup, and even perform a daring maneuver to stir up rocks and dust from Apophis’ surface.
To reach Apophis, OSIRIS-APEX will have to undergo several close Sun passes and gravity assists from Earth. These maneuvers will position the spacecraft for its rendezvous with the asteroid. This mission to Apophis is a continuation of the incredible legacy of OSIRIS-REx, which successfully collected samples from the asteroid Bennu in 2020 and returned them to Earth in May 2021. This was a monumental milestone in space exploration, as the samples from Bennu could revolutionize our understanding of the solar system’s formation and the origins of life.
The OSIRIS-APEX mission to Apophis promises to offer new possibilities and discoveries in the study of asteroid dynamics and planetary defense. With its close flyby of Earth, Apophis presents a unique opportunity to study these celestial bodies up close, and scientists are eagerly awaiting the wealth of data that OSIRIS-APEX will collect during its mission. This exciting venture into the unknown is sure to captivate the world’s attention and deepen our understanding of the vast wonders of the universe.
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