Suche
Mein Konto
Apophis 2029: Germany is planning an impressive satellite mission!
The University of Würzburg is launching the NEAlight project to research the asteroid Apophis, which will fly close to Earth in 2029.
Apophis 2029: Germany is planning an impressive satellite mission!
On April 13, 2029, the asteroid (99942) Apophis will fly past Earth at a distance of just 32,000 kilometers. The asteroid has a mean diameter of 340 meters and belongs to the group of potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA). Despite its designation as dangerous, NASA has ruled out in its calculations that Apophis will threaten Earth in the next 100 years. An asteroid of this size is estimated to come this close to Earth only once every 1,000 years.
The coming approach offers a unique opportunity for scientists to study the asteroid in detail. Astronomers view this mission as an important aspect of research, as there have only been around 20 satellite missions to irregularly shaped celestial bodies.
The NEAlight project
As part of the NEAlight project at the University of Würzburg, concepts for a German small satellite mission to Apophis are being investigated. Project leader Jonathan Männel, research associate at the Chair of Space Technology, is carrying out the project at the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Extraterrestrials (IFEX).
The German government has extended the project until April 30, 2026 and funded it with almost 300,000 euros. In the first project phase, NEAlight received funding of around 306,000 euros from the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The satellite mission will develop two identical small satellites to capture high-resolution images of the asteroid's surface during Apophis' flyby.
Research objectives and technical feasibility
The investigation project of the small satellite mission relates to the analysis of physical properties, the internal structure and the gravitational forces of the asteroid. The aim of the current phase is to evaluate the technical and scientific feasibility and to design the basic mission architectures. The possibility of synergies with other small satellite missions to near-Earth asteroids and cislunar missions is also being investigated.
The satellites will be placed in a highly elliptical Earth orbit to observe Apophis from different angles. This is intended to collect information about its shape, rotation and the effects of its approach to Earth. In addition, the Earth's radiation and magnetic field environment will be measured during the mission.
The asteroid's visibility during its flyby will be ensured for around two billion people in Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. These upcoming events underscore the importance of research to characterize asteroids and their potential hazards.