After the recent launch ofHeraHera bound for the asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos to verify the operational feasibility of a planetary defense technique against an asteroid heading straight for the Earth, ESA,European Space AgencyEuropean Space Agencyis moving forward in the development of a new planetary defense mission: Ramses. Scheduled for launch in April 2028, this probe will target the asteroid Apophis, with a diameter of 375 meters, and considered one of the most threatening for our Planet.
What the Hera mission could reveal about the asteroid impacted by NASA to deflect it
Apophis will perform a hoverhover extremely close to Earth in April 2029, less than 32,000 kilometers from its surface. This flyover, an exceptional natural phenomenon, is expected to attract considerable global attention. According to Patrick Michel, research director at the CNRS at the Lagrange laboratory and scientific manager of the Hera mission, “ this mission represents a unique opportunity for scientific research and planetary defense ».
Scientific objectives of the Ramses mission
The ESA explains in its press release that during the flight over the Earth of “ Strong tidal forces will strain the asteroid and likely reveal materials beneath the surface. A space vehicle in the vicinity of Apophis could observe these changes and allow scientists to learn a lot about the asteroid’s composition and structure, as well as how an asteroid responds to outside forces. These are points we need to understand if we hope to one day be able to deflect a dangerous asteroid that is on a collision course with Earth. ».
Apophis, one of the most threatening asteroids for Earth, will be studied very closely by the Ramses probe
With 2028 fast approaching, the European Space Agency is accelerating development work on the Ramses mission. On October 17, at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in MilanMilanESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and OHB Italia Director General Roberto Aceti signed a €63 million contract to initiate preparations for the mission. At the next Ministerial Council session in 2025, ESA will propose this mission for approval and funding. If Ramses receives the full support required, the work will ensure its implementation within the stipulated time frame.
Did you know?
The Ramses mission will not be the only probe heading towards Apophis. NASA has decided to extend the Osiris-Rex mission, which, after delivering samples from the asteroid Bennu to Earth in September 2023, was reoriented towards Apophis. Although the probe, now renamed Osiris-Apex (Apophis Explorer), will not orbit this asteroid, it will fly nearby for about 18 months.
The Ramses probe will be an adaptation of the Hera mission. It will carry navigation cameras and several payloads, including two cubesatscubesats. Jaxa (the Japanese agency) offered to provide a thermal imager similar to that of Hera. Italy has expressed interest in providing at least one cubesat, which could carry a French geophone to measure the propagation of seismic wavesseismic waves induced by earth tidal forces. In addition, France, in partnership with Luxembourg, is ready to finance a low-speed radar frequencyfrequency intended for a second cubesat, making it possible to probe the interior of Apophis and detect possible changes during its passage. Other potential partners include NasaNasathe Korean Space Agency and Isro (the Indian agency), which are also showing interest in participating in the mission.
Like the Hera mission, Ramses presents itself as a key step in planetary defense, combining the priorities of space security and scientific exploration. The success of this mission could have significant implications not only for asteroid research, but also for humanity’s ability to protect itself against potential threats from space.
