Prepare to be amazed by NASA’s latest cosmic adventure! The OSIRIS-APEX probe has embarked on a daring mission, and its first breathtaking images have just been revealed.
In a thrilling maneuver, OSIRIS-APEX swung by Earth, capturing our planet and its moon in exquisite detail. This flyby was more than just a photo op; it was a crucial step in the probe’s journey to the notorious asteroid Apophis, also known as the ‘God of Chaos’.
The spacecraft’s recent images, taken during its September 23rd flyby, offer a unique perspective of Earth from just 2,136 miles above the surface. But here’s where it gets fascinating: this mission is a sequel to the OSIRIS-REx expedition, which famously retrieved samples from the asteroid Bennu in 2023. Now, OSIRIS-APEX is headed towards Apophis, a metal-rich asteroid that couldn’t be more different from Bennu’s carbon-rich makeup. And this is the part most people miss—Apophis was once feared as a potential threat to Earth!
The flyby served a dual purpose: it accelerated the probe and set it on a path to Apophis, which will make a daringly close approach to Earth in 2029. This encounter will be so close that Earth’s gravity might actually change the asteroid’s shape, spin, or orbit. OSIRIS-APEX will be there to witness and document this extraordinary event, providing the first-ever insights into how asteroids react to such close planetary encounters.
Upon arrival, the probe will spend over a year mapping Apophis, studying its composition, and snapping high-resolution photos. Scientists even plan to hover close to the asteroid’s surface, using thrusters to kick up dust and uncover hidden secrets. All this is made possible by the probe’s advanced imaging systems, including the MapCam and StowCam cameras.
As OSIRIS-APEX continues its voyage, it will keep us updated on its trajectory and the health of its instruments. But the real excitement lies ahead when it reaches Apophis, offering an unprecedented opportunity to study these mysterious celestial bodies and their interactions with our planet. Is this mission a necessary scientific endeavor or a risky venture too close to home?