The ESA RAMSES Mission: Rendezvous with the Asteroid Apophis during its Close Encounter with Earth in 2029

Kurzfassung

The very close Earth flyby of (99942) Apophis on Friday April 13, 2029, presents an unprecedented planetary defense and science opportunity. Apophis will approach Earth’s surface at a closer distance than orbiting geosynchronous satellites. Significant tidal torques will be exerted on the asteroid, with consequences that might include alterations of its rotation state and internal structure, measurable seismic waves and real-time surface disturbances. A rendezvous mission to Apophis will offer major advances in our understanding of the response of small asteroids to external forces and of the internal structure of potentially hazardous asteroids. RAMSES, which stands for Rapid Apophis Mission for SpacE Safety, is ESA’s contribution to the investigation of Apophis during its close approach to Earth. It is based on an adaptation of the Hera spacecraft design, to fit to the updated mission profile, while minimizing any new developments. To rendezvous with the asteroid before April 2029, RAMSES will launch in spring 2028 for a direct 10-months transfer. The rendezvous with Apophis is planed two months before the April Earth’s encounter and includes a detailed characterization campaign (including global imaging at 10cm resolution), both before and after this close encounter, in great synergy with other missions, in particular the NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX that is on its way to visit Apophis in the following few weeks, as well as other projects that main join the effort, emphasizing the international cooperation that is at the heart of planetary defense.