ExLabs proposes Apophis EX commercial deep space rideshare mission
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Apr 30
ExLabs proposes Apophis EX commercial deep space rideshare mission
17 articles · Updated · Space.com · Apr 30
At the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, the Southern California startup said the mission would rendezvous with 450-metre asteroid Apophis before and after its 13 April 2029 Earth flyby.
ExLabs says Apophis EX would gather data for planetary defence, resource prospecting and future exploration, while testing a lower-cost, repeatable commercial model for missions beyond Earth orbit.
Apophis will pass closer than geostationary satellites but is not expected to hit Earth, and the flyby is spurring multinational planning and debate over asteroid deflection options and industrial readiness.
Once companies can steer asteroids, how will the world prevent this defense tool from becoming a weapon?
When private firms can mine asteroids, how do we ensure planetary defense isn't compromised for profit?