NASA relaunches spacecraft to study 'God of Chaos' asteroid Apophis | Here's why

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OSIRIS-REx is now "already well on its way with a new name to explore a new destination (Apophis)", the NASA said. In a statement on December 22, the US space agency said, "The former OSIRIS-REx spacecraft sets off on a (seven-year, 4 billion-mile journey) journey to study asteroid Apophis and take advantage of the asteroid’s 2029 flyby of Earth, the likes of which hasn’t happened since the dawn of recorded history." When Apophis was discovered in 2004, the asteroid was gained notoriety as one of the most hazardous asteroids that could impact Earth.

However, the risk of an impact in 2029 was later ruled out. "...that impact assessment changed after astronomers tracked Apophis, and its orbit became better determined," the NASA said.

Apophis, about 1,100 feet (340 meters) in width, is expected to "safely pass close to Earth – within 19,794 miles (31,860 kilometers) from our planet’s surface – on April 13, 2029". This will be the closest approach to Earth by an asteroid of this size that scientists have known about in advance.

"The intrigue of Apophis is its exceptionally close approach of our planet (Earth) on April 13, 2029," the NASA said. However, it won't hit Earth during the encounter.

ALSO READ: Earth had close shave with over 100 Vatican City, Burj Khalifa-sized asteroids in 2023: NASA's top targets unveiled "Although Apophis will not hit Earth during this encounter or in the foreseeable future, the pass in 2029 will bring the asteroid within 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of the surface – closer than some satellites, and close enough that it could be visible to the naked eye in the Eastern Hemisphere," the space agency added. Moreover, "the close approach is a great natural experiment", said Dani Mendoza