Watch: NASA's spacecraft chasing an asteroid zooms past Earth

Rarely does a robotic probe traveling through deep space return near its home planet, yet NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission achieved exactly that, performing a dramatic Earth flyby before heading toward its upcoming asteroid target one that will approach Earth closely in 2029.

Originally named OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer), the spacecraft collected a sample from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu in 2020 and successfully delivered it to Earth in 2023. During its recent maneuver on September 23, 2025, the OSIRIS-APEX StowCam captured an impressive view of Earth as the spacecraft executed a gravity-assist slingshot. (Image Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin)

Now under an extended mission focused on the asteroid Apophis, the spacecraft has been renamed OSIRIS-APEX Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security - Apophis Explorer. Apophis, named after the Egyptian god associated with chaos, caused global attention upon its 2004 discovery due to initial predictions of a potential Earth impact. Updated calculations later confirmed it will safely pass roughly 20,000 miles above Earth's surface on April 13, 2029.

NASA notes that this flyby will place Apophis closer than numerous satellites and more than 200,000 miles nearer than the Moon's typical distance. On September 23, OSIRIS-APEX performed a precise gravity-assist maneuver, using Earth's gravity to fine-tune its path in preparation for observing Apophis during its notable 2029 passage.

The StowCam captured this image about nine hours after the spacecraft's closest approach, when it was roughly 142,000 miles from Earth and continuing outward. The Southern Hemisphere, including the continent of Australia, is visible in the view. (Image Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona)

NASA also released a video from the StowCam showing Earth in full view as OSIRIS-APEX sped past. This close encounter allowed mission teams to calibrate instruments and confirm the spacecrafts systems are fully operational ahead of its next significant encounter in a few years.

Analysis: OSIRIS-APEX's Earth Flyby and Its Impact on Apophis Mission

NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission has accomplished an impressive feat, executing a rare Earth flyby as it adjusts its course toward the asteroid Apophis. This maneuver, performed on September 23, 2025, highlights both the spacecraft's advanced capabilities and the critical role gravity-assist slingshots play in deep space missions.

The successful flyby not only provided a breathtaking image of Earth but also allowed NASA to fine-tune the spacecraft's trajectory in preparation for its close encounter with Apophis in 2029. This flyby, placing OSIRIS-APEX approximately 142,000 miles from Earth, has significant implications for future observations of the asteroid. Apophis, once feared for a potential collision with Earth, is now confirmed to pass at a safe distance, but its proximity remains noteworthy as it will pass within 20,000 miles of our planet.

With this maneuver, the mission also ensured the spacecraft's systems are fully operational, reaffirming its readiness for the upcoming encounter with Apophis. The updated path will allow OSIRIS-APEX to gather valuable data on the asteroid's composition and behavior, which could provide crucial insights into the dynamics of near-Earth objects.

The OSIRIS-APEX mission continues to demonstrate the ingenuity and precision required for space exploration, and its ability to utilize Earth’s gravity for course adjustments is a testament to the power of modern space technology. As the spacecraft moves closer to Apophis, the data it collects will help scientists better understand the behavior of such potentially hazardous objects.

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