Europe and Japan Team Up for Space Mission to Track Asteroid Apophis

ESA and JAXA unveil the Ramses mission. Its goal is to study the 2029 close flyby of asteroid Apophis. This marks a milestone in planetary defence collaboration.

A Close Encounter in Space

An extraordinary astronomical event is set to unfold in 2029. Asteroid Apophis will make a remarkably close pass by Earth. It measures about 375 metres across. The near-Earth object will zip past at just 32,000 kilometres—roughly one-tenth of the distance to the Moon—on April 13, 2029.

When it was first discovered in 2004 there were fears. However, scientists have now confirmed that Apophis poses no impact threat for at least the next century. Instead, its trajectory presents a rare scientific opportunity. The asteroid will be visible to billions of people without telescopes, turning the night sky into a global spectacle.

The Ramses Mission Takes Shape

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have joined hands to seize this opportunity. They have initiated a new mission named Ramses. It stands for Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety.

Ramses is scheduled for launch in 2028. It will be aboard JAXA’s H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. Ramses aims to rendezvous with Apophis in February 2029, two months before its closest approach. The spacecraft will then shadow the asteroid, capturing high-resolution data on how Earth’s gravity alters its shape and orbit.

Learning from Cosmic Forces

Scientists view this flyby as a natural experiment in how gravitational forces reshape asteroids. Researchers compare it to a “cosmic game of billiards.” They expect to observe how Earth’s pull subtly redirects Apophis’s course. This will provide insights that are essential to future planetary defence strategies.

The Ramses probe will carry advanced instruments, including a thermal infrared imager developed by JAXA. These tools will help map surface heat, track structural shifts, and record minute changes to the asteroid’s motion. Data collected will guide future missions designed to deflect potentially hazardous space objects.

Building on Previous Success

Ramses will draw heavily from ESA’s Hera mission. The mission studied NASA’s DART impact on asteroid Dimorphos. This was the first real-world asteroid deflection experiment. Planetary scientist Patrick Michel, part of the Ramses team, noted the urgency behind the project, saying, “Apophis doesn’t wait.”

Adding to the mission’s value, JAXA’s DESTINY+ spacecraft will launch alongside Ramses to capture early images and assist with navigation.

A Model for International Collaboration

Beyond its scientific scope, Ramses stands as a symbol of global cooperation in space exploration. ESA’s Patrick Michel said the effort is “a message of unity.” JAXA’s Masaki Fujimoto viewed it as a major step in strengthening inter-agency collaboration.

In a time of growing geopolitical divides, this joint mission shows that humanity can collaborate. Together, we work to understand and safeguard our place in the cosmos. As 2029 approaches, the world will be watching not with fear—but with fascination.

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