In 2029, the world will witness a rare celestial event when the asteroid Apophis, an asteroid 375 meters wide. It flies close to Earth at a surprisingly close distance. To study this phenomenon, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese JAXA have joined forces to mission of ramsesan international effort to observe how Earth’s gravity affects the asteroid. The mission aims to collect valuable data to advance planetary defense techniques, an area of growing importance in space exploration.
On April 13, 2029, Apophis will pass within 32,000 kilometers of Earth, about one-tenth the distance to the Moon. While this asteroid does not pose a direct threat to our planet, its close approach presents a unique opportunity for scientific discovery.
A shared mission: ESA and JAXA join forces for space security
the collaboration between ESA and JAXA in the Ramses mission is an important step forward for both space agencies. The mission will study how Apophis reacts to Earth’s gravitational forces, an essential component of planetary defense.
According Cosmoswill launch the Ramses spacecraft aboard its H3 rocket, while ESA will provide key scientific expertise, including mission planning and execution. The collaboration also includes the development of advanced technologies, such as an infrared thermal imaging camera, which JAXA previously used in the Hayabusa2 mission.
“Ramesses has to happen,” he said Fujimoto MasakiGeneral Director of the JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Sciences, emphasizing the importance of this international effort. “We have been working closely with ESA’s Space Security Program and this was a mission where we wanted to offer important cooperation.”
Ramses: a pillar of planetary defense
The approach of Apophis offers a rare opportunity to study the asteroid’s response to external forceswhich could help protect Earth from future asteroid threats. How he explains it Patrick Michelplanetary scientist at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the mission will help scientists understand how small celestial bodies behave under gravitational stress, a key piece of the puzzle in the development of deflection techniques.
Ramses’ findings could significantly improve current understanding of asteroid deflection, particularly how different methods, such as kinetic impact, might work. The timing of the mission is critical, as planetary defense systems are still in the early stages of development. As michael explains,
“In this unique moment, nature is doing the work for us. Nature will provide the interaction and we just have to watch.”
This observation could lead to new insights into how an asteroid’s trajectory can be altered.
A new era of international collaboration
The project also shows the importance of cultural exchange and teamwork in space exploration. Even with the challenges of different work styles and bureaucracy, both agencies have built a strong partnership, driven by their shared passion for advancing space science. michael believes the strength of their collaboration will go beyond the scientific community, sending a strong message of global cooperation as the world prepares to The close approach of Apophis in 2029.
“When everyone looks at Apophis, we will have two major agencies together on the asteroid. And that is a great message,” he said, emphasizing the importance of such a joint mission.
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