A significant asteroid is set to pass by Earth in 2029, creating an “extremely rare natural phenomenon.” This event will be closely monitored by a spacecraft sent to track the asteroid. The European Space Agency (ESA) is leading this mission with the hope that the information gathered will help protect our planet from potential collisions with similar objects in the future.
The asteroid known as 99942 Apophis will have an “exceptionally close flyby” of Earth on April 13, 2029, coming within 19,900 miles (32,000 km) of the planet’s surface. Around 2 billion people in Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia will have the opportunity to witness this event with the naked eye, provided the sky is clear. To prepare for this mission, the ESA has secured funding for the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses).
The Ramses spacecraft is scheduled to meet Apophis before its close encounter with Earth and will accompany the asteroid during the flyby to observe how Earth’s gravity affects it. Despite its proximity to Earth, Apophis is not expected to collide with our planet for at least the next 100 years, according to astronomers. Objects of this size, approximately 375 meters across, typically come close to Earth only once every 5,000 to 10,000 years.
Patrick Michel, director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), emphasized the significance of this mission. He highlighted that the opportunity to study an asteroid up close as it interacts with Earth’s gravity is a unique and valuable scientific experiment. Observing Apophis during the flyby will provide insights into how it responds to tidal forces, potentially leading to new discoveries about its composition and structure.
The Ramses mission is planned to launch in April 2028 to ensure it meets Apophis in February 2029, two months before the asteroid passes by Earth. The Space Safety Programme board has granted permission for preparatory work, with a final decision on the mission’s commitment expected in November 2025. Richard Moissl, head of ESA’s Planetary Defence Office, emphasized the importance of missions like Ramses in safeguarding Earth from hazardous asteroids.
During the mission, scientists will focus on studying Apophis’ composition, mass, density, and internal structure, as well as monitoring any changes that occur as it approaches Earth. These properties are crucial for understanding how to prevent a potential asteroid impact on Earth. The ESA’s efforts align with humanity’s proactive approach to planetary defense and highlight the significance of studying celestial objects to protect our planet.
