ESA RAMSES MISSION TO STUDY APOPHIS ASTEROID

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a mission to study the Apophis asteroid, which will pass exceptionally close to Earth in 2029.

EXPLANATION:

• This mission represents a significant opportunity for scientists to gather detailed information about asteroids from an unprecedented proximity, enhancing our understanding of these celestial bodies and improving planetary defense strategies.

Apophis

• Apophis is a 375-meter-wide asteroid.
• It will come within 32,000 kilometers of Earth in 2029.
• Such a close approach of a large asteroid happens only once in approximately 5,000 to 10,000 years.
• The ESA’s mission to study Apophis, named the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses), aims to capitalize on this rare event to gather valuable data.

ESA’s Mission: Ramses

• The Ramses spacecraft will approach Apophis before it reaches its closest distance to Earth.
• It will accompany the asteroid on its journey, conducting extensive observations similar to NASA’s planned OSIRIX-APEX spacecraft mission.
• The mission’s objectives include studying changes in Apophis’ physical characteristics due to Earth’s gravitational influence.
• The Ramses mission will use a suite of scientific instruments to conduct a thorough survey of Apophis before and after its close approach.
• The spacecraft will analyze changes in the asteroid’s shape, surface, orbit, rotation, and orientation.
• These observations will provide insights into how asteroids respond to external forces and reveal details about their composition, interior structure, cohesion, mass, density, and porosity.
• ESA is the second major space agency to commit to a mission to Apophis, following NASA.
• Additionally, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has expressed interest in launching a mission to the asteroid.
• This global interest underscores the importance of studying Apophis and highlights international cooperation in space exploration and planetary defense.

Importance of Studying Asteroids

• Asteroids, primarily remnants from the formation of the Solar System, have not been the focus of many space missions historically.
• However, this is changing as the potential threat posed by asteroids becomes more apparent.
• Every day, hundreds to thousands of asteroids enter Earth’s atmosphere, with most burning up due to air friction.
• Occasionally, fragments reach the surface, but they rarely cause significant damage.
• Nonetheless, the risk of a large asteroid collision with Earth, which could cause catastrophic damage, is a real concern.

Planetary Defense and Previous Missions

• An essential aspect of studying asteroids is developing capabilities to protect Earth from potential collisions.
• In 2022, NASA demonstrated such a capability with the DART mission, successfully altering an asteroid’s trajectory through a deliberate collision.
• This mission proved that such maneuvers could be effective in preventing asteroid impacts on Earth.

Impact on Planetary Defense

• The data collected by Ramses will be crucial for improving our ability to deflect hazardous asteroids.
• By understanding how Apophis reacts to Earth’s gravity, scientists can refine strategies to mitigate potential threats from other asteroids.
• This knowledge is vital for developing effective planetary defense measures.

Scientific Insights into the Solar System

• Asteroids are considered time capsules, preserving information from the early Solar System.
• The Ramses mission’s findings will offer new scientific insights into the formation and evolution of our Solar System, contributing to our broader understanding of the universe.

Launch and Mission Timeline

• The Ramses spacecraft is scheduled for launch in April 2028, aiming to reach its designated location by February 2029, two months before Apophis’ closest approach.
• The mission will involve detailed observations and data collection, enhancing our knowledge of asteroids and advancing planetary defense capabilities.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/european-space-agency-apophis-asteroid-9466532/