ESA and JAXA formalise Ramses partnership and confirm H3 launch
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · May 10
ESA and JAXA formalise Ramses partnership and confirm H3 launch
10 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · May 10
The deal commits JAXA to technical components and a 2028 launch so Ramses can reach asteroid Apophis by February 2029 before its 13 April flyby 32,000km above Earth.
ESA keeps spacecraft design and operations, while the mission will observe how Earth's gravity alters the 375-metre asteroid's surface, rotation and interior during the close pass.
Apophis poses no impact risk, but the rare encounter could sharpen future asteroid-deflection planning; Ramses builds on Hera and will complement NASA's OSIRIS-APEX study after the flyby.
What planetary defense secrets will be revealed when Earth’s gravity reshapes asteroid Apophis during its 2029 flyby?
How will this mission determine if asteroid Apophis is a solid rock or just a fragile pile of rubble?
Defending Earth: The ESA-JAXA RAMSES Mission and the 2029 Apophis Flyby
Overview
On May 7, 2026, ESA and JAXA formalized the RAMSES partnership, marking a major step in international space cooperation and a concrete commitment to planetary defense. This agreement builds on their joint statement from November 2024, where both agencies identified planetary defense as a key area for expanded collaboration. The urgency of this partnership is driven by the upcoming close flyby of asteroid Apophis in 2029, which has motivated the global community to strengthen its ability to observe, study, and potentially mitigate asteroid threats, highlighting a shared responsibility to protect Earth.