{"id":799351,"date":"2025-11-26T07:12:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T12:12:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=799351"},"modified":"2025-11-26T07:12:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T12:12:29","slug":"osiris-apex-mission-to-asteroid-apophis-soars-past-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=799351","title":{"rendered":"OSIRIS-APEX mission to asteroid Apophis soars past Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nNASA\u2019s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft captured this view of Earth as it soared some 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometers) above our planet\u2019s surface on September 23, 2025. For comparison, satellites in low Earth orbit are found at altitudes up to 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers). Imagery via NASA\/ Goddard\/ University of Arizona\/ Lockheed Martin.<\/em><\/p>\n

NASA\u2019s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft swung past Earth on September 23, 2025, coming within just 2,136 miles (3,438 kilometers) of our planet. The spacecraft was using Earth\u2019s gravity to alter its direction and pick up speed on its way toward asteroid Apophis. And on November 25, 2025, NASA shared the amazing imagery OSIRIS-APEX captured looking back at our world.<\/p>\n

OSIRIS-APEX was previously known as OSIRIS-REx. This historic space mission brought the first samples from asteroid Bennu back to Earth. <\/p>\n

And now, with the spacecraft in good condition and still with a quarter of its fuel left, NASA has renamed the craft and redirected it to a new destination. It\u2019s now on its way to the infamous asteroid Apophis, once (but no longer) thought to be on a possible collision course with Earth. After a long journey, the craft will reach Apophis in April 2029, just as the asteroid is sweeping past Earth.<\/p>\n

The mission\u2019s new name, OSIRIS-APEX, stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security \u2013 Apophis Explorer.<\/p>\n

OSIRIS-APEX captured this view of our planet some 9 hours after its closest approach. At this time, it was around 142,000 miles (228,000 km) away. The image is a composite of 6 photographs captured by the spacecraft\u2019s MapCam imager using red, green and blue filters. Image via NASA\/ Goddard\/ University of Arizona.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Mostly
The spacecraft captured this parting shot from about 370,000 miles (59,600 km) away from Earth. The bright shapes are sunlight reflecting off the spacecraft\u2019s instruments. But to the upper right and upper left you can see our distant world and its moon. Image via NASA\/ Goddard\/ University of Arizona\/ Lockheed Martin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OSIRIS-APEX: A new destination and a new name<\/h3>\n

OSIRIS-REx\u2019s mission at asteroid Bennu was an incredible success. It safely returned the samples of the asteroid to Earth on September 2023. Afterwards, since the spacecraft was still in excellent condition, with leftover fuel, NASA aimed the craft toward a new object to explore. NASA had considered various comets and even Venus, but ultimately decided on the asteroid Apophis.<\/p>\n

Unlike Bennu, which is carbon-rich, Apophis is composed of nickel-iron and silicate materials. Asteroids are generally categorized as C-type, S-type or M-type. Apophis is an S-type asteroid, while Bennu is a C-type. Apophis is small, about 1,100 feet (340 meters) across.<\/p>\n

\"OSIRIS-APEX:
This animation depicts the orbital trajectory of asteroid Apophis, as it passes by Earth on April 13, 2029. Motion is sped up 2,000 times. It will come within 20,000 miles (32,000 km) of our planet\u2019s surface. Animation via NASA\/ JPL-Caltech\/ YouTube.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why to visit Apophis?<\/h3>\n

One primary reason that NASA chose Apophis is that it will pass closely to Earth on April 13, 2029. The asteroid is estimated to come within 20,000 miles (32,000 km) of our planet. It will not strike Earth in 2029<\/em>. In fact, scientists ruled out a strike by asteroid Apophis for at least the next 100 years. <\/p>\n

So if Apophis isn\u2019t due to strike us, why should we study it? Apophis is categorized as a Near-Earth Object (NEO). And some NEOs can pose a danger and are referred to as being potentially hazardous. As it happens, most potentially hazardous asteroids are also S-types. So it would be good to learn more about them!<\/p>\n

OSIRIS-APEX will observe the asteroid just after its closest pass to Earth. As Amy Simon, project scientist for OSIRIS-APEX at NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said:<\/p>\n

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OSIRIS-APEX will study Apophis immediately after such a pass, allowing us to see how its surface changes by interacting with Earth\u2019s gravity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s a rare chance to get such a good look at Apophis, as it only passes this close to Earth once every 7,500 years.<\/p>\n

\"OSIRIS-APEX:
View larger. | In 2029, OSIRIS-APEX will reach the asteroid Apophis, depicted in this artist\u2019s concept. The newly named mission 1st explored the asteroid Bennu and returned samples to Earth in September 2023. Image via NASA\/ JPL-Caltech\/ Universe Today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A natural experiment<\/h3>\n

Although the asteroid won\u2019t affect Earth at all, the Earth\u2019s much greater gravity will affect the asteroid. In fact, it can change the orbit of the asteroid slightly, as well as the length of its day. Right now, one day on Apophis is 30.6 hours long. That\u2019s how long the asteroid takes to spin once on its axis. Earth\u2019s gravitational pull could even cause quakes and landslides on the asteroid. Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona in Tucson, said:<\/p>\n

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The close approach is a great natural experiment. We know that tidal forces and the accumulation of rubble pile material are foundational processes that could play a role in planet formation. They could inform how we got from debris in the early solar system to full-blown planets.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"3
The Deep Space Network complex in California and the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia obtained these radio images of asteroid Apophis in March 2021. The asteroid was 10.6 million miles (17 million km) away at the time. Each pixel has a resolution of 127 feet (38 meters). Image via NASA\/ JPL-Caltech\/ NSF\/ AUI\/ GBO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What happens in 2029?<\/h3>\n

While en route<\/em> to Apophis over the next several years, OSIRIS-APEX will conduct six close passes of the sun. In addition, it will also make three close passes of Earth for gravity assists. These will all help put the spacecraft on the right trajectory to reach Apophis in 2029.<\/p>\n

So, what will happen when OSIRIS-APEX gets there? First, the spacecraft will start taking images around April 2, 2029. And astronomers on Earth will be able to observe Apophis during this period. Also, the spacecraft will continue to monitor the asteroid after its closest approach to Earth. For telescopes on Earth, however, Apophis will be too close to the sun in the sky at that time.<\/p>\n

OSIRIS-APEX will repeat many of the same observations that it did at Bennu when it was OSIRIS-REx. It will again use its imagers, spectrometers and a laser altimeter. And, just like at Bennu, it will use its thrusters to come within 16 feet (5 meters) of the asteroid\u2019s surface. The only difference this time is that it won\u2019t be able to collect any samples.<\/p>\n

If history is any indicator, Apophis may have surprises for us, as Simon noted:<\/p>\n

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We learned a lot at Bennu, but now we\u2019re armed with even more questions for our next target.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Two
Technicians carrying the precious sample of asteroid Bennu, returned to Earth by OSIRIS-REx. Image via NASA<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bottom line: NASA\u2019s OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu was a great success. Now, the spacecraft has been renamed OSIRIS-APEX and is heading to asteroid Apophis.<\/p>\n

Via NASA<\/p>\n

Learn more about Apophis<\/p>\n

Read more: OSIRIS-REx spacecraft arrives at Bennu<\/p>\n

Read more: Asteroid Bennu\u2019s boulder mystery solved<\/p>\n

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Paul Scott Anderson<\/h4>\n

View Articles\n <\/p><\/div>\n

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About the Author:<\/h6>\n

Paul Scott Anderson has had a passion for space exploration that began when he was a child when he watched Carl Sagan\u2019s Cosmos. He studied English, writing, art and computer\/publication design in high school and college. He later started his blog The Meridiani Journal in 2005, which was later renamed Planetaria. He also later started the blog Fermi Paradoxica, about the search for life elsewhere in the universe.<\/p>\n

While interested in all aspects of space exploration, his primary passion is planetary science and SETI. In 2011, he started writing about space on a freelance basis with Universe Today. He has also written for SpaceFlight Insider and AmericaSpace and has also been published in The Mars Quarterly. He also did some supplementary writing for the iOS app Exoplanet.<\/p>\n

He has been writing for EarthSky since 2018, and also assists with proofing and social media.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n