Europe and Japan Join Forces to Study Asteroid Apophis, Expand Space Ties with south Korea
TOKYO – the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan’s space agency, JAXA, have confirmed a joint mission to study the near-Earth asteroid Apophis, leveraging a rideshare prospect on JAXA’s H3 rocket. The collaboration marks a significant step in bolstering space cooperation between Europe and Japan, and comes alongside expanding partnerships with South Korea.
The mission, combining ESA’s Ramses spacecraft and JAXA’s Destiny+ probe, will observe Apophis in the lead-up to its exceptionally close approach to Earth in April 2029. This flyby will bring the asteroid within 31,000 kilometers (19,000 miles) of our planet – close enough to be visible to the naked eye in some regions – and the combined mission aims to gather crucial data about the asteroid’s composition and behavior. “Ramses is not only a scientifically exciting mission and a symbol of two partnerships between Japan and ESA, but it also is a good example of quick project advancement and implementation,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.
The partnership arose from delays in the launch of Destiny+, originally intended to study asteroid 3200 Phaethon, the source of the annual Geminid meteor shower. These delays allowed for a revised mission profile including a flyby of Apophis, creating a convenient opportunity for Ramses to join the launch. While ESA awaits final funding approval at a ministerial meeting in November, development of the Ramses spacecraft is already underway.
Beyond the Apophis mission, ESA and JAXA highlighted their recent successful collaboration on the EarthCare satellite, launched last year to study Earth’s energy balance and climate change. concurrently, both agencies are actively strengthening ties with South Korea, exploring joint projects in areas such as lunar exploration and space situational awareness. These expanded partnerships reflect a growing trend toward international cooperation in space,driven by the increasing complexity and cost of space endeavors.
