Japan to Launch ESA’s Apophis Mission with H3 Rocket

• Japan will support ESA’s Ramses mission to study asteroid Apophis in 2029, providing launch services and hardware amid growing international cooperation.

Joint Effort to Observe a Near-Earth Asteroid

Japan has announced its participation in the European Space Agency’s Ramses mission, which aims to observe the Apophis asteroid during its close approach to Earth in 2029. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will provide its H3 rocket as the launch vehicle, marking a significant contribution to the project. JAXA Vice President Masaki Fujimoto emphasized the importance of international collaboration, especially as NASA’s separate OSIRIS-APEX mission faces uncertainty due to potential budget constraints. Under current conditions, Japan sees its role in Ramses as a global responsibility to advance planetary science.

Final approval for the Ramses mission is expected from ESA in November. JAXA is considering a ride-share launch with its own deep space probe, DESTINY+, alongside Ramses in 2028. In addition to launch support, Japan plans to contribute infrared sensors and solar array paddles to the mission. These components will enhance the spacecraft’s ability to study Apophis and gather data relevant to planetary defense.

Strategic Collaboration in Space Exploration

The Apophis mission reflects a broader trend of increased cooperation between Europe and Japan in space activities. Both ESA and JAXA have reaffirmed their commitment to the NASA-led Artemis program, despite recent shifts in U.S. space policy. Joint initiatives now extend beyond asteroid observation, including satellite infrastructure and lunar exploration. At a recent summit in Tokyo, the EU and Japan confirmed plans to collaborate on satellite constellations such as IRIS², Europe’s communications network.

Japan’s space industry continues to expand its international partnerships. In September, French satellite operator Eutelsat signed a multi-launch agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which successfully launched the H3 rocket last year. These developments underscore Japan’s growing role in commercial and scientific space missions. The country also plans a joint lunar rover mission, LUPEX, in cooperation with India.

Importance of Apophis for Planetary Defense

Apophis, a near-Earth asteroid, will pass unusually close to Earth in 2029, offering a rare opportunity for direct observation. Scientists view such events as critical for improving planetary defense strategies and understanding potential collision risks. Missions like Ramses are designed to collect high-resolution data that can inform future mitigation efforts. By contributing launch capabilities and technical components, Japan is helping ensure the mission’s success.

The collaboration between ESA and JAXA highlights the importance of shared resources and expertise in addressing global scientific challenges. As geopolitical dynamics shift, partnerships like these offer stability and continuity in space research. The Ramses mission, if approved, will serve as a model for future joint efforts in asteroid monitoring and deep space exploration. Its success could pave the way for more integrated approaches to planetary protection.