ESA and NASA Plan Ramses Mission for 2029

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses) to observe the asteroid Apophis during its close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029. Apophis, measuring about 1,230 feet across, will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth, providing a rare opportunity for scientific study. The Ramses mission aims to launch by April 2028 to reach Apophis in early 2029, with the goal of analyzing its orbit and structure to improve planetary defense strategies. NASA will also study the aftermath using the Osiris-Rex spacecraft. This close encounter will allow scientists to gather crucial data on how to potentially deflect hazardous asteroids in the future. The ESA will finalize the mission plans in late 2025, but preparatory work has already begun.