Apophis, a 350-meter-wide asteroid, will pass within 31,000 kilometers of Earth-closer than many satellites in geostationary orbit. ESA has selected Politecnico's DART (Deep-space Astrodynamics Research and Technology) Laboratory, within the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, to contribute to the mission via the RCS-1 CubeSat, developed by Tyvak International.
Under the leadership of Professors Francesco Topputo and Fabio Ferrari, the Politecnico team will oversee mission design, implement autonomous navigation systems, and capture detailed images of Apophis. These compact CubeSats are engineered for independent operation, offering high scientific return at relatively low cost.
RCS-1 will study Apophis's surface and motion, delivering critical data during the asteroid's flyby. It will also test new guidance technologies created by the university's researchers. The RAMSES probe is expected to reach Apophis by February 2029, enabling extended observation prior to and during its gravitational interaction with Earth.
"Being part of the Apophis mission is a tremendous honour. We are developing state-of-the-art technologies that will venture into deep space, showcasing Italian innovation in tackling unprecedented challenges," said Professors Topputo and Ferrari.
As Apophis streaks across the sky in 2029, visible from Earth with the naked eye, it will also be observed at close range by cutting-edge instruments designed in Milan-highlighting a new era for Italy's role in planetary exploration.
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Politecnico di Milano
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