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Private Spacecraft Will Land on Asteroid Apophis in 2029
When asteroid Apophis makes its closest-ever approach to Earth in April 2029, it will be met by multiple spacecraft — including private landers — in what will be the most ambitious asteroid encounter mission ever attempted.
Key Takeaways
- Asteroid Apophis will pass within 32,000 km of Earth on April 13, 2029 — closer than geostationary satellites and visible to the naked eye
- Multiple spacecraft including NASA's OSIRIS-APEX, ESA's Ramses, and private landers are planned for the encounter
- Scientists hope to observe for the first time how Earth's gravity tidally deforms a rubble-pile asteroid during a close approach
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DT Editorial AI··via newscientist.com