NASA has relaunched its spacecraft, OSIRIS-REx, now named OSIRIS-APEX, for a mission to study the asteroid Apophis as it approaches Earth's orbit. This close flyby in 2029, which is expected to occur on April 13, will be the closest encounter with the "God of Chaos" asteroid since the dawn of recorded history.

OSIRIS-APEX returned to Earth in September after a seven-year mission to collect samples from the space rock Bennu. Now, it has been sent on a new mission to explore Apophis, which measures approximately 370 yards across and comes close to Earth only once every 7,500 years. The asteroid is expected to pass by Earth at a distance of about 20,000 miles, closer than some manmade satellites, and might even be visible from the Eastern Hemisphere.

During its close flyby, Apophis will be affected by Earth's gravity, causing potential changes on its surface. OSIRIS-APEX will closely study these changes to understand the impact of Earth's gravitational forces. Amy Simon, the mission's project scientist, highlighted the mission's goal of observing how the length of Apophis' day changes and the potential occurrence of landslides and quakes on the asteroid's surface.

Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona in Tucson, explained that the study of tidal forces and debris accumulation can provide valuable insights into the formation of planets in the early solar system.

OSIRIS-APEX will not land on Apophis but instead operate in proximity to it for 18 months, starting from April 13, 2029. During this time, the spacecraft will map the asteroid's surface, analyze its chemical makeup, and examine the material beneath the surface by maneuvering within 16 feet of it.

Although the flyby is still five years away, scientists will closely monitor Apophis as it approaches the sun for the first of its six close passes. This mission presents a unique opportunity to study the "God of Chaos" asteroid up close and gather valuable data about its characteristics and the effects of its interaction with Earth's gravity.

As OSIRIS-APEX embarks on this new mission, scientists and researchers eagerly anticipate the discoveries that await and the potential insights into the processes that shaped our solar system.