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\t\t\t\t\t\t20\/05\/2025<\/span> On 13 April 2029, the 375 m asteroid Apophis will make a safe but exceptionally close flyby of Earth. ESA is preparing the Ramses mission, which, if fully supported at the Agency\u2019s Ministerial Council meeting in November this year, will launch in 2028, rendezvous with the\u00a0asteroid, and accompany it through the flyby.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Ramses will use a suite of scientific instruments on the main spacecraft and two smaller CubeSats that will be deployed at Apophis to conduct a thorough before-and-after survey of the asteroid\u2019s shape, surface structure, cohesion, orbit, rotation and more.<\/p>\n Earth\u2019s gravity will induce tidal forces in the asteroid that are likely to alter some of these properties during the flyby. By analysing these changes, Ramses will help scientists learn more about how an asteroid responds to external forces. This is important knowledge for assessing how best to deflect a hazardous asteroid if we discover one on a collision course with Earth in the future.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Ramses\u2019 first CubeSat, announced in March, will conduct radar sounding to learn more about the interior structure of Apophis and analyse its surrounding dust environment.<\/p>\n The second CubeSat, led by Emxys, will be deployed from the main spacecraft just a few kilometres from Apophis. It will study the asteroid\u2019s shape and geological properties and will carry out an autonomous approach manoeuvre before attempting to land on the surface. If the landing is successful, it will also measure the asteroid\u2019s seismic activity.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cLanding on an asteroid is very challenging,\u201d says Ramses Project Manager Paolo Martino. \u201cThe irregular shape and surface properties make it difficult to identify a stable landing site, while the very weak gravity makes it hard to stay on the surface without bouncing off and drifting away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut the opportunity to study Apophis from the surface during this rare natural phenomenon is very exciting and scientifically valuable. Ramses\u2019 CubeSats will attempt higher risk, high reward activities that the main spacecraft cannot, such as a landing. In doing so, they will help us maximise the mission\u2019s scientific return, which is crucial, as an asteroid this large is thought to pass so close to Earth only once every few thousand years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cThis project marks a milestone for our company,\u201d said Jos\u00e9 A. Carrasco, CEO of Emxys. \u201cTo contribute to a mission that will monitor one of Earth\u2019s closest encounters with a large asteroid represents the highest level of scientific and technological challenge. We are proud to bring our capabilities to Europe\u2019s planetary defence efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Joining Emxys in the European consortium developing the CubeSat are GomSpace (Denmark), GMV (Spain), ISAE-SUPAERO (France), and the Royal Observatory of Belgium. Emxys contributed to the GRASS gravimeter on the Juventas CubeSat carried by ESA\u2019s Hera mission, which is currently en route to the Didymos binary asteroid system to study the aftermath of humankind\u2019s first attempt at asteroid deflection.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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