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Ramses Mission Approved

ESA’s Space Safety program has received permission to begin preparatory work for the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses), aimed at studying asteroid 99942 Apophis.

Historic Event in 1994

The Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet collision with Jupiter 30 years ago spurred interest in planetary defence, leading to missions like Ramses to prevent potential Earth impacts.

Close Flyby of Apophis

Apophis, roughly 375 meters across, will pass within 32,000 km of Earth on April 13, 2029, a rare event visible to 2 billion people across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

No Collision Risk

Apophis will not collide with Earth, with astronomers ruling out any impact risk for at least the next 100 years. However, its close flyby presents a unique scientific opportunity.

Scientific Objectives

Ramses will study how Earth’s gravity affects Apophis’ physical characteristics, providing insights into planetary defence and asteroid composition.

Mission Timeline

Ramses is scheduled to launch in April 2028, arriving at Apophis in February 2029, two months before its close approach to Earth.

Detailed Observations

The spacecraft will conduct thorough before-and-after surveys of Apophis’ shape, surface, orbit, rotation, and orientation, helping scientists understand the asteroid’s response to external forces.

Collaborative Efforts

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, renamed OSIRIS-APEX, will join Ramses in studying Apophis, arriving one month after the flyby to provide additional data on long-term effects.

Planetary Defence Strategy

Ramses will demonstrate rapid deployment of reconnaissance missions, a cornerstone for responding to hazardous asteroids. The mission builds on the expertise developed for ESA’s Hera mission, showing ESA and European industry’s capability to meet strict deadlines.