Page 10 - Asteroid Redirection Test News Today

Smaller, more numerous and less studied than the major planets of our solar system, asteroids have long been of interest to planetary scientists because of what they can reveal about the formation of our solar system. More recently, they have gained attention because of the risk of future impacts with Earth and because of the resources they hold that may one day be put to use in the development of space. Here are some of the key “firsts” in humanity’s exploration of the asteroids so far.

Although its main mission is now complete, the journey of OSIRIS-REx is only half-done as NASA re-routes it to study near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis.

The OSIRIS-REx mission is expected to shed new light on the nature and history of the solar system’s oldest building blocks

After flying by Earth this weekend, the probe will plot a course for the potentially hazardous asteroid Apophis.

Apophis, the menacing asteroid, once a high-stakes threat, now offers relief as astronomers confirm Earth's safety, while asteroid deflection projects ensure ongoing protection.

A newly discovered space rock about 6.5 feet wide (2 meters) zipped past Earth today at a distance five times closer than GPS satellites orbit.

NASA determined it slowed the asteroids orbital period by 33 minutes, but new research shows that period increased to 34 minutes shortly after.

A newly discovered space rock about 6.5 feet wide (2 meters) zipped past Earth today at a distance five times closer than GPS satellites orbit.

A newly discovered space rock about 6.5 feet wide (2 meters) zipped past Earth today at a distance five times closer than GPS satellites orbit.

ESAs Hera spacecraft is now assembled ahead of its journey to analyze the asteroid smashed by NASAs DART mission.