NASA Halts Apophis Mission — US to Miss Historic Close Encounter with Asteroid

NASA has officially terminated its OSIRIS-APEX mission aimed at the asteroid Apophis, resulting in the absence of any American spacecraft during the asteroid's unprecedented close flyby of Earth in 2029. This event marks the nearest approach of a 375-meter asteroid of this magnitude in documented history. A report from NASA's Inspector General labeled this decision as a 'missed opportunity.' Meanwhile, Europe's RAMSES mission remains on schedule to observe Apophis. This asteroid is deemed a potential threat, as its size could cause catastrophic damage to an area comparable to a US state if it were to collide with Earth. Experts assert that the 2029 event represents a rare chance in decades to closely examine its trajectory.