The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
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On Friday, 13 April 2029, the infamous asteroid Apophis will make a close approach of Earth. Passing at a distance less than 40 000 km, it will be visible to the naked eye.
At this distance, Earth’s gravity will have a notable impact on the passing space rock, altering its path and amplifying the uncertainty in its orbit. Until recently, there was a small chance that this close approach could nudge Apophis into a dangerous new orbit, in which the 350 m asteroid could strike Earth in a future journey round the Sun.
Fortunately, recent radar observations reduced the uncertainty in Apophis’ trajectory to such an extent that even with the orbit-altering effects of the upcoming 2029 flyby, any chance of impact in 2068 or long after are ruled out.