Page 19 - Asteroid Redirection Test News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

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.