In April 2029, the Apophis asteroid will make a close flyby of Earth, providing a rare chance for scientists to study its interior and understand potential threats from similar celestial objects. This observation could significantly enhance planetary defense by informing strategies to deflect threatening asteroids. Experts stress the importance of planning for this study, with Bobby Braun asserting the uniqueness of this opportunity. However, funding cuts, notably the proposed cancellation of the OSIRIS-Apex mission, jeopardize the endeavor, leaving NASA with limited current options to study Apophis.
This is a remarkable opportunity," said Bobby Braun, who leads space exploration for the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, in an interview. "From a probability standpoint, there's not going to be another chance to study a killer asteroid like this for thousands of years.
NASA has some options for tracking Apophis during its flyby. However, the most promising of these, a mission named OSIRIS-Apex... is slated for cancellation by the Trump White House's budget for fiscal year 2026.
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