NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX Mission to Apophis: Key for Earth’s Defense

Feb. 14, 2025

Jim Bridenstine and Bill Nye

image of space with an arrow where asteroid 2024 YR4 would be — This image made available by University of Hawaii’s asteroid impact alert system, shows an arrow where asteroid 2024 YR4 would be, Dec. 27, 2024.

ATLAS / University of Hawaii / NASA via Associated Press

Asteroid Apophis, once feared to potentially impact Earth, will make a close flyby in 2029. NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission, led by University of Arizona, will catch up with Apophis just days after its closest encounter to Earth.

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