NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft recently captured breathtaking images of Earth and the Moon as it performed a high-speed flyby on its journey towards the asteroid Apophis. During the close approach on September 23, 2025, the probe flew just 2,136 miles (3,438 kilometers) above the planet, showcasing swirling clouds above the blue oceans and glimpses of continents below.
The spacecraft’s cameras documented striking visuals of Earth, providing a vivid representation of our planet as it sped past. The following day, as OSIRIS-APEX moved away, it took a remarkable photo of the Moon approximately 370,000 miles (595,000 kilometers) from Earth.
Mission Overview and Objectives
OSIRIS-APEX, which stands for “Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security-Apophis Explorer,” is part of a continuing mission that builds on the success of OSIRIS-REx, which returned a sample from the near-Earth asteroid (NEA) Bennu in 2023. After that historic mission, NASA redirected OSIRIS-APEX towards Apophis, a metallic-rich NEA that presents a sharp scientific contrast to Bennu’s carbon-rich composition. Apophis is particularly notable for its previous classification as a potential impact risk to Earth.
The recent images confirm that OSIRIS-APEX’s cameras and instruments are fully operational after years in deep space. The flyby was carefully designed to utilize Earth’s gravity, allowing the spacecraft to gain speed and redirect towards Apophis, which is expected to swing past Earth on April 13, 2029. This encounter will bring the asteroid closer than many satellites, creating an opportunity for Earth’s tidal forces to potentially reshape its surface, alter its spin, or even shift its orbit.
Scientific Exploration Ahead
Once OSIRIS-APEX arrives at Apophis, it will mark a historical moment as the first mission to document how an asteroid reacts to a close planetary pass. The spacecraft will spend approximately 18 months in orbit around the asteroid, mapping its surface, studying its composition, and capturing high-resolution imagery.
Mission planners hope the spacecraft will hover mere meters above the surface, using its thrusters to stir up dust and reveal previously hidden materials. The spacecraft’s imaging capabilities are powered by its MapCam imager, which employs red, green, and blue filters, alongside StowCam, capable of both still and video imagery to ensure the safe storage of collected samples.
As the mission progresses, OSIRIS-APEX will continue to send trajectory updates and perform additional instrument checks. The close encounter with Apophis presents a unique opportunity for scientists to learn more about the evolution of near-Earth asteroids and their responses to gravitational influences.
The stunning photos released are not merely impressive visuals; they represent significant milestones in the mission, showcasing both technological achievements and promising scientific inquiries into our solar system’s dynamic bodies.
