NASA has dispatched a spacecraft to the asteroid Apophis, often referred to as the "God of Darkness," in preparation for its upcoming flyby of Earth.

 NASA has dispatched a spacecraft to the asteroid Apophis, often referred to as the "God of Darkness," in preparation for its upcoming flyby of Earth.

Credits: Nasa 

In a daring expansion of its purpose, the spacecraft formerly referred to as OSIRIS-REx embarks on an unparalleled expedition to investigate asteroid Apophis.

This celestial entity is scheduled to undertake a momentous flyby of Earth in 2029, an occurrence that has not been witnessed since the dawn of recorded history.

The spacecraft, now renamed OSIRIS-APEX (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Apophis Explorer), utilizes its previous triumphs to venture into uncharted cosmic realms.

The odyssey of OSIRIS-REx is truly remarkable. Following a seven-year, 4 billion-mile voyage, it returned to Earth with a sample obtained from asteroid Bennu.

This remarkable achievement in September marked a pinnacle in the realm of space exploration. With its instruments still in impeccable condition and a significant portion of its fuel reserves remaining, the decision to repurpose the spacecraft for a new mission was a logical progression.

The decision to explore asteroid Apophis.

Apophis, an asteroid of the "S-type" composition consisting of silicate materials and nickel-iron, stands in stark contrast to the carbon-rich, "C-type" Bennu.

After considering various potential destinations, including Venus and several comets, NASA ultimately chose Apophis due to its intriguingly close proximity to Earth.

On April 13, 2029, Apophis will pass within 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of Earth's surface, closer than certain satellites and potentially visible to the naked eye in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Asteroids of Apophis' magnitude, measuring approximately 367 yards (340 meters) across, only approach Earth at such close distances approximately once every 7,500 years. This rarity presents an invaluable opportunity for scientific exploration and comprehension.

Objectives of the Asteroid Apophis Mission

As elucidated by Amy Simon, the project scientist for the mission at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, OSIRIS-APEX aims to study Apophis immediately following its close encounter with Earth.

Simon stated that OSIRIS-APEX would promptly examine Apophis following its passage, allowing us to witness the alterations occurring on its surface as a result of its interaction with Earth's gravitational forces.

This will enable scientists to observe any changes on the surface caused by the gravitational interaction between Earth and the asteroid.

Additionally, Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, the principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona in Tucson, emphasizes the importance of this close approach as a natural experiment.

DellaGiustina states, "The close approach serves as a valuable natural experiment. We understand that tidal forces and the accumulation of debris are fundamental processes that could have contributed to the formation of planets. They could provide insights into how we transitioned from debris in the early solar system to fully-formed planets."

This event has the potential to offer valuable information about tidal forces and the accumulation of debris, which are crucial processes that may have influenced the formation of planets.

Asteroid Apophis mission timeline

Apophis plays a crucial role in our understanding of potentially dangerous asteroids, most of which are similar to it in composition.

The knowledge gained from this mission will be vital for NASA's research on planetary defense, which is of utmost importance. Starting from April 2, 2029, OSIRIS-APEX will begin capturing images of Apophis as it approaches the asteroid.

While Earth-based telescopes will also observe Apophis, they will be unable to do so after the close encounter due to the asteroid's proximity to the Sun.

This puts OSIRIS-APEX in a unique position to detect any changes that may occur as a result of the encounter.

Examining Apophis up close

Upon its arrival on April 13, 2029, OSIRIS-APEX will spend approximately 18 months operating near the asteroid. Its mission includes mapping the surface, analyzing its chemical composition, and performing a daring maneuver: descending to within 16 feet of Apophis' surface to stir up rocks and dust, thereby revealing the underlying material.

With the rendezvous still more than five years away, OSIRIS-APEX's journey involves six close passes by the Sun and three gravity assists from Earth, ensuring its trajectory towards Apophis.

The discoveries that lie ahead are yet to be unveiled, but as Amy Simon aptly states, the accomplishments of the mission at Bennu have only intensified the scientific community's curiosity and inquiries regarding Apophis.

In conclusion, OSIRIS-APEX's mission to Apophis builds upon the legacy of its predecessor while venturing into a realm of new possibilities and discoveries. It provides us with a glimpse into the formative processes of our solar system and enhances our understanding of asteroid dynamics and planetary defense.

More about OSIRIS-REx

As mentioned earlier, the OSIRIS-REx mission, a bold undertaking by NASA, marked a significant milestone in space exploration and the study of asteroids, particularly in relation to the formation of planets.