What is it about?
Asteroid Apophis will pass close to Earth in 2029, giving scientists a rare chance to study its surface. This mission sends small, low-cost satellites (CubeSats) to take detailed images of Apophis before the flyby. By comparing these images with later ones, researchers can see how Earth’s gravity affects the asteroid, causing surface shifts like landslides or quakes. The mission is affordable, using rideshare launches and efficient planning to keep costs low. It also showcases how small satellites can play a big role in space exploration, helping improve our understanding of asteroids and planetary defense.
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Photo by NASA Hubble Space Telescope on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This mission concept is important because Asteroid Apophis’s 2029 flyby is a once-in-a-lifetime event, offering a unique chance to study how Earth's gravity affects asteroids. Unlike traditional missions, this project uses low-cost CubeSat swarms to capture high-resolution images before the flyby, establishing a baseline for comparison. This will help scientists detect surface changes like landslides or seismic activity, improving our understanding of asteroid behavior during planetary encounters. The mission also demonstrates affordable space exploration strategies, paving the way for future asteroid research and planetary defense initiatives.
Perspectives
Writing this article was an exciting experience, as it brings together my passion for space exploration and planetary defense. Collaborating with my co-authors allowed us to develop a cost-effective mission concept that could provide valuable insights into asteroid behavior. This work is particularly important because it demonstrates how small satellite technology can be leveraged for deep-space missions at a fraction of traditional costs. I hope this research inspires future studies and innovations in CubeSat-based asteroid exploration, contributing to both scientific discovery and planetary defense strategies.
Harish Vernekar
University of Arizona
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A Low Cost Apophis Precursor Mission Using CubeSat Swarms, January 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-2738.
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