Source: IE
Context: The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses) to study the Apophis asteroid when it passes within 32,000 km of Earth in 2029.
- This close approach, happening only once every 5,000 to 10,000 years, presents a unique opportunity for in-depth asteroid research.
- ESA’s Ramses spacecraft will accompany the 375-meter-wide asteroid, conducting extensive studies on its physical and orbital characteristics before and after the flyby.
- This mission follows NASA’s commitment to a similar mission with its OSIRIX-APEX spacecraft.
- The data gathered will enhance planetary defense strategies and provide insights into the Solar System’s formation.
This initiative underscores the growing focus on asteroid research, crucial for developing measures to protect Earth from potential asteroid collisions, as demonstrated by NASA’s successful DART mission in 2022.
