In connection with the change in the purpose of the study-the study of the asteroid Apophis, the device will now be called OSIRIS-APEX.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has already completed its mission to study the asteroid Bennu and is flying it towards Earth with rock samples taken from space rock. This was reported by the New Atlas.
It was noted that after the delivery of the material, the device will go to study the asteroid Apophis, which, as expected, could fall to Earth.
Scientists plan to find out what it consists of and what properties it has.
The space agency decided to extend his mission, as he still had enough fuel. Due to the change in the purpose of the study, the device will now be called OSIRIS-APEX.
“Apophis is one of the most famous asteroids to threaten Earth. It was discovered in 2004 and it is believed that it could fall to Earth in 2029. But in 2013, scientists discovered that, although it is very close to our planet, but there’s no danger here, ”said Dani Della Giustina of Arizona State University.
The flight to Apophis will start 30 days after sending the sample capsule from Bennu to Earth. One year and a half time to study Apophis OSIRIS-APEX.
Recall that the American space agency NASA showed amazing images of how the moon of Mars Phobos passed against the background of the Sun.
The crew of the Chinese space station returns to Earth
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Source: korrespondent
