NASA Administrator Discusses Artemis II Mission and Space Exploration

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recently joined Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer on America’s Newsroom to talk about the successful Artemis II mission. He emphasized the renewed American interest in lunar exploration. Isaacman covered various topics, including the competitive space race with China and President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for NASA, while also outlining plans for a moon base and future Mars missions.

Asteroid Apophis to Approach Earth in 2029

A large asteroid, Apophis—about the size of the Eiffel Tower—is set to come close to Earth in 2029, but experts assure there is no collision risk. Scheduled to pass around 20,000 miles from our planet on April 13, 2029, Apophis will be nearer than many satellites currently in orbit. Interestingly, this asteroid is deemed “potentially dangerous” and consists of leftover materials not part of Earth or the Moon.

When Apophis was first discovered in 2004, there were concerns it could strike Earth in 2029, 2036, or 2068. However, through continued observations using optical telescopes and radar, astronomers now determine that there’s no chance of an impact for at least the next century.

In addition to Apophis, observatories worldwide are preparing to study its close approach to gather more data about its physical characteristics. NASA has even repositioned its spacecraft to meet Apophis after its pass in 2029. This spacecraft, originally named OSIRIS-REx, has been rebranded as OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer (OSIRIS-APEX) and will shift its focus following its mission to collect samples from the asteroid Bennu last year.

Observers in the Eastern Hemisphere, depending on the weather, may even catch a glimpse of Apophis without needing a telescope or binoculars. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency plans to send a probe to study the asteroid as well.

Astronomers hope to gain valuable insights as they monitor how Apophis will be affected by Earth’s gravity during its approach, which will slightly alter its orbit around the sun, increasing its orbital period. This event marks a unique opportunity for researchers to enhance their understanding of such celestial bodies.