Scientists set sight on asteroid larger than Eiffel Tower as it skims past Earth
The European Space Agency plans to launch the Ramses mission in 2029 to study asteroid 99942 Apophis. This mission aims to gather data to enhance understanding of asteroids and improve deflection capabilities.
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In 2029, the European Space Agency plans to launch the Rapid Apophis Mission for Security and Safety (Ramses) to study the asteroid 99942 Apophis as it passes closer to Earth than GPS and TV satellites. The mission aims to gather information about the asteroid's size, shape, mass, spin, composition, internal structure, and orbit. Scientists hope to use this data to enhance our understanding of asteroids and improve our ability to deflect potentially hazardous space rocks. The Ramses mission will provide valuable insights into how Earth-crossing asteroids like Apophis could pose a threat to our planet. Additionally, NASA's Dart mission and the ESA's Hera planetary defense mission are part of efforts to study and potentially deflect Earth-bound asteroids. The Ramses mission is set to launch in early 2028, offering a unique opportunity to observe Apophis before and after its close encounter with Earth in 2029.
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