NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX captured stunning images of Earth and Moon before heading to asteroid Apophis

NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission executed an Earth flyby successfully on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, to position the craft on a course for a future rendezvous with the possibly hazardous asteroid Apophis, according to the space agency. The spacecraft, formerly called OSIRIS-REx, came within 2,136 miles (3,438 kilometers) of our planet at 1:00 p.m. EDT on September 23. For the close approach, the probe's cameras turned homeward and delivered striking images of Earth and the Moon.

Scientists took advantage of this chance to check and calibrate all the onboard scientific instruments in preparation for the main mission phase. This wasn't only for photos; it was actually a much-needed gravity assist.

According to Daily Galaxy, by swinging close to Earth, the spacecraft utilized the planet's gravitational pull to accelerate and precisely adjust its course, conserving precious fuel for the long journey ahead. Importantly, the flyby confirmed all systems, including the high-resolution MapCam and the previously used StowCam, are operational. These tools will be crucial for mapping Apophis in detail.

The mission's target is the asteroid known as Apophis. The object gained widespread attention back in 2004 with early predictions that it might reach Earth in 2029. NASA explains that upon the discovery of Apophis, the available data showed a real possibility of the asteroid hitting Earth in the near future. However, after close monitoring by astronomers, NASA has confirmed there is no chance that Apophis will hit Earth for at least the next 100 years. 

While that risk was later ruled out, Apophis remains significant. Planetary science expert Dani DellaGiustina told Daily Galaxy, “It will be the closest an asteroid of this size has gotten, for the next 100 years of asteroids we have discovered so far." When it arrives in 2029, OSIRIS-APEX will study Apophis for about 18 months. It will map the surface of the asteroid, analyze its composition, and watch how the strong gravitational pull of Earth affects it during the close pass. One of the most exciting plans calls for the spacecraft to hover just above the surface of Apophis and fire thrusters at the surface to blast away buried, pristine material. The results are expected to yield new clues on the formation of asteroids and their overall role in the history of our solar system. This intentional disturbance will also let scientists get an unprecedented view of the fresh, undisturbed material just beneath the asteroid's outer layer.

The key objective of OSIRIS-APEX is to watch in detail the dramatic physical changes that will occur on Apophis after its extremely rare near-Earth encounter in April 2029. That month, Apophis's orbit will bring it closer than 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) to our surface, closer than some of our highest-flying satellites. Experts anticipate that Earth's gravity will not only change the asteroid's orbit and spin rate but could also trigger powerful "asteroid-quakes" or landslides, dramatically reshaping its surface. The OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will be positioned to witness these changes firsthand.

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