The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has intensified its focus on planetary defense, keeping a close watch on a massive asteroid named Apophis, which is set to make a close encounter with Earth on April 13, 2029. Named after the Egyptian God of Chaos, the asteroid is considered a significant potential threat to the planet, and ISRO is taking every precaution to monitor its trajectory.
Apophis, first discovered in 2004, has been tracked regularly due to its periodic near-Earth flybys. Measuring between 340 and 450 meters in diameter, this asteroid is larger than India’s largest aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A collision with such a body could cause “continental-scale devastation,” as estimated by ISRO, making it a key focus of planetary defense initiatives.
ISRO’s Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) is leading the monitoring of Apophis. According to ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath, “A large asteroid strike is a real existential threat for humanity. ISRO is very alive to that threat and our Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) is monitoring Apophis very closely. After all, we have only one Earth to live on.”
Closest Encounter in 2029
The 2029 flyby of Apophis is expected to come closer to Earth than any other asteroid of its size, at approximately 32,000 kilometers — closer than many of Earth’s geostationary satellites. While concerns remain, scientists believe this flyby will not result in a direct impact with Earth. However, future encounters, particularly in 2036, continue to be closely monitored.
Asteroids larger than 140 meters in diameter are classified as “potentially hazardous.” Apophis, with its significant size, poses a serious concern. ISRO has estimated that any asteroid over 300 meters could cause continent-wide destruction, while a 10-kilometer asteroid impact could lead to global catastrophe and mass extinction, as demonstrated by past asteroid events such as the one responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
NASA and Global Efforts to Prevent Disaster
In response to this threat, space agencies worldwide are developing missions to study and potentially deflect hazardous asteroids. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, which returned samples from an asteroid, is being repurposed to rendezvous with Apophis. Similarly, the European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing the Rapid Apophis Mission for Security and Safety (RAMSES) for a potential launch in 2028. India has expressed interest in joining this mission.
In terms of deflecting asteroids, space agencies are exploring multiple approaches. These include NASA’s successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which used a spacecraft to impact and alter an asteroid’s path. Other techniques under consideration include the use of gravity tractors, high-speed ion beams, or, as a last resort, nuclear explosives.
ISRO’s Role in Planetary Defense
India’s inclusion of planetary defense in ISRO’s portfolio marks a proactive approach to global threats from extraterrestrial objects. Dr. A.K. Anil Kumar, head of NETRA, emphasized the potential consequences of an asteroid collision: “If it collides with Earth, it can cause a catastrophe. The dust thrown up by the collision can blanket the atmosphere, causing global disruption.”
ISRO’s study of Apophis during its closest approach in 2029 will provide valuable data and insights, contributing to global efforts to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts. This initiative highlights India’s growing role in space exploration and planetary defense, fostering international cooperation to mitigate future threats.
With Apophis under close watch and missions in the pipeline, the global scientific community remains vigilant in its efforts to protect Earth from these celestial dangers.
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