OSIRIS-APEX Again Carry Out Missions To Study Apophis Asteroids

OSIRIS-APEX will approach Apophis, asteroid 99942, which is predicted to approach Earth in 2029. (Doc. NASA)

JAKARTA Origin, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security Regolit Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) recently sent Bennu, the first large asteroid sample to Earth.

After completing the mission, OSIRIS-REx will return to carry out the mission as Origin, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security Apophis Explorer (OSIRIS-APEX).

Quoted from Science,OSIRIS-APEX has started its side mission, namely exploring and approaching Apophis. Apophis itself is an asteroid that was predicted to be dangerous for the earth in 2029.

The mission carried out by OSIRIS-APEX will bring the spacecraft closer to the sun. By passing through the orbits of Venus and Earth several times, OSIRS-APEX is expected to be able to meet Apophis or asteroid 99942.

Despite approaching Apophis, OSIRIS-APEX will not collect samples. OSIRIS-APEX will only study Apophis for 18 months until April 13, 2029, when Apophis is expected to approach Earth.

Oliver Hainaut, an astronomer who worked on NEO at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) explained that Bennu and Apophis are two different asteroids. Bennu is a B-type asteroid, while Apophis type S. Apophis consists of silicate iron and nickel.

Hainaut added that the properties of Apophis are useful in Earth's protection. Although scientists claim that Apophis is harmless, this asteroid is said to be similar to NEO, which is likely to collide with Earth.

Despite whether this OSIRIS-APEX mission could be a great opportunity for scientists to understand the basic objects on earth and its surrounding planets.