OSIRIS-APEX and Apophis 2029 (NASA)

On April 13, 2029, asteroid Apophis passes about 20,000 miles from Earth. NASA's OSIRIS-APEX meets it in June 2029 to see how that close pass changes it.

Image: NASA.

Last reviewed: 2 sources cited

OSIRIS-APEX: Mission Status

Cruising to Apophis; rendezvous June 2029. Dates per NASA; missions shift.

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The Five W's of OSIRIS-APEX

Who

NASA, reusing the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft that returned asteroid Bennu samples.

Source: NASA, OSIRIS-APEX

What

An asteroid rendezvous mission studying how a close pass of Earth affects a stony asteroid.

Source: NASA, OSIRIS-APEX

When

Apophis passes Earth April 13, 2029; OSIRIS-APEX rendezvous in June 2029.

Source: NASA, Asteroid Apophis

Source: NASA, OSIRIS-APEX

Where

Asteroid 99942 Apophis, about 20,000 miles from Earth's surface at closest approach.

Source: NASA, Asteroid Apophis

Why

To learn how asteroids respond to gravity and what they are made of, knowledge that informs planetary defense.

Source: NASA, OSIRIS-APEX

Impact Statement

Agency solution · active

Near-Earth asteroid Apophis will safely pass about 20,000 miles (32,000 km) from Earth's surface on April 13, 2029, closer than many satellites in geosynchronous . NASA says there is no risk of Apophis hitting our planet for at least 100 years. OSIRIS-APEX, the renamed OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, will rendezvous with Apophis in June 2029 to study how Earth's gravity changes its orbit, spin and surface.

Source: NASA, Asteroid Apophis

Source: NASA, OSIRIS-APEX

Knowing how a stony asteroid reacts to a close pass is exactly the kind of knowledge planetary defense needs.

For Further Information: NASA, OSIRIS-APEX

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Discussion questions

  1. What is OSIRIS-APEX and Apophis 2029 (NASA), and what problem does it help solve?
  2. Who is behind OSIRIS-APEX and Apophis 2029 (NASA), and where does the work happen?
  3. How does OSIRIS-APEX and Apophis 2029 (NASA) help both people and nature? Use one fact from this page.

Sources are listed with each fact in the Five W's above.

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Cite This Page

APA

Saving Planets. (n.d.). OSIRIS-APEX and Apophis 2029 (NASA). https://www.savingplanets.com/OSIRIS-APEX.html

MLA

"OSIRIS-APEX and Apophis 2029 (NASA)." Saving Planets, https://www.savingplanets.com/OSIRIS-APEX.html.

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