Scientists Demand Action on Asteroid Apophis Mission

In a thrilling development for planetary science, researchers are pressing NASA to expedite plans for a bold mission to the asteroid Apophis, especially as it approaches Earth in just under four years.

A recent workshop in Tokyo, dubbed the Apophis T-4 Years Workshop, resulted in urgent recommendations for NASA regarding the twin Janus smallsats. Originally designed for flybys of other asteroids, the Janus spacecraft were put into storage after NASA's Psyche mission faced delays. Now, experts believe these smallsats could be repurposed to explore Apophis before it makes its close encounter with Earth in April 2029.

The Janus Opportunity

These scientists highlighted the Janus smallsats as the prime candidates for a pre-flyby mission to Apophis, calling on NASA to act swiftly on their Request for Information (RFI) submitted last fall. Despite their importance, NASA has been quiet on its intentions regarding Janus and any potential Apophis mission since last October.

At a recent House Committee hearing on NASA’s planetary defense initiatives, Nicky Fox, the agency's associate administrator for science, gave little away about the Janus RFI but confirmed they explored various options for missions prior to Apophis's swing by Earth.

Future Missions in the Mix

Post-flyby, NASA plans to use the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, repurposed as OSIRIS-APEX, to study Apophis shortly after its closest approach. This mission promises to capture images that will provide insights into how tidal forces alter the asteroid’s surface.

Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) is developing its own mission, RAMSES, targeting Apophis before the flyby. They received initial funding last year and are set to request full funding soon. Japan’s JAXA is also in the mix with its DESTINY+ mission, initially aimed at Phaethon, which now has the potential to intercept Apophis.

Collaboration and Urgency Required

The workshop emphasized the importance of OSIRIS-APEX, RAMSES, and DESTINY+ as top-tier priorities for Apophis exploration. The call to action underlines that time is of the essence, as concerted efforts and funding are crucial for the planned missions to succeed.

The participants implore all relevant agencies and funding bodies to step up and move decisively towards supporting these groundbreaking missions to ensure that humanity is ready to observe the impending close encounter with Apophis. The world is watching!