A U.S.-based private space company, ExLabs, is preparing to land two spacecraft on asteroid Apophis as it makes an exceptionally close approach to Earth in 2029. This will mark the first time a private entity attempts a landing on an asteroid. The mission is part of a larger international effort involving NASA, Europe, Japan, and China to study the space rock before, during, and after its historic flyby.
The Asteroid Apophis: From Threat to Opportunity
Discovered in 2004, Apophis initially raised concerns about a potential Earth impact, with early estimates suggesting a 2.7% chance of collision in 2029. However, refined calculations later eliminated this immediate threat, confirming no impact risk for at least a century.
Despite the reduced risk, Apophis will still pass remarkably close to Earth on April 13, 2029 – within 32,000 kilometers (closer than some satellites). This event is rare for an asteroid of its size (approximately 400 meters across) and will make it visible to the naked eye. This proximity provides a unique opportunity for scientific observation.
ExLabs’ Bold Plan: A Two-Lander Mission
ExLabs’ mission, ApophisExL, cleared a critical review phase and is scheduled for launch in 2028. The spacecraft will deploy up to ten instruments and spacecraft from various customers, including two landers. One is from an unnamed source, while the other comes from the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan.
“The goal is to gain images from the surface of the asteroid,” states Miguel Pascual, ExLabs’ chief science officer. “There’s some really exciting science that can happen.”
The Chiba Institute lander, roughly the size of a shoebox, will descend slowly (10 cm/s) from 400 meters above the asteroid, landing gently after an hour-long descent. The landing will occur a week after the closest approach to Earth to avoid altering Apophis’ trajectory under Earth’s gravity.
Coordinated Science: Avoiding Collisions in Space
The European-Japanese Ramses mission is also planning a lander deployment days before the flyby, equipped with a seismometer to measure gravitational effects on the asteroid’s surface. It may even record the landings of ExLabs’ spacecraft. Patrick Michel, Ramses project scientist, emphasizes the importance of communication among all missions to prevent mishaps.
“It is important that we coordinate,” says Michel. “The world will be watching. We don’t want to screw up.”
The convergence of multiple missions on a single asteroid requires careful planning to ensure smooth operations and avoid collisions. Effective coordination will be crucial for maximizing scientific returns from this unprecedented event.
This confluence of private and public space efforts marks a significant step toward commercial asteroid exploration, with ExLabs leading the way in what could become a new frontier for space missions.
