Asteroid Apophis
Ramses
ESA planetary-defense mission to rendezvous with asteroid Apophis before its exceptionally close 2029 Earth encounter.
ESA says Ramses needs to launch in April 2028 to reach Apophis before the asteroid's February 2029 close approach to Earth.
View in 3D map ↗Official mission site ↗The mission
Ramses will rendezvous with asteroid Apophis before, during, and after its 2029 close pass by Earth. ESA says the mission will help researchers study how Earth's gravity reshapes the asteroid and improve planetary-defense understanding.
The launch
- Launch
- April 2028
- Launch location
- Not documented
- Launch vehicle
- Not documented
- Orbit
- Not documented
Mission timeline
Follow the mission through its available trajectory data in the full 3D solar-system map.
- Now
Launch window
April 2028 · Asteroid Apophis
ESA says Ramses must launch in April 2028 to reach Apophis in time.
Open milestone source ↗Objectives
- 01
Study asteroid Apophis before and after its close Earth flyby.
- 02
Measure how Earth's gravity changes Apophis' orbit and surface conditions.
- 03
Advance planetary-defense knowledge for future asteroid encounters.
Spacecraft
Ramses
ESA's mission spacecraft for rendezvous and close-proximity observations of asteroid Apophis.
- Manufacturer
- ESA
Gallery
One image from Ramses.
Community discussion
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