NASA Reverses Course on Asteroid Mission, Saves OSIRIS-APEX from Budget Ax

NASA Reverses Course on Asteroid Mission, Saves OSIRIS-APEX from Cuts In a surprise move, NASA has reinstated the OSIRIS-APEX mission to explore an asteroid that will make a close flyby of Earth in 2029. The decision comes after the Trump administration's budget blueprint proposed canceling the mission as part of a broader effort to slash funding for 19 operating science programs. "We were called for cancellation as part of the president's budget request, and we were reinstated and given a plan to move ahead in FY26 just two weeks ago," said Dani DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona. "Our spacecraft appears happy and healthy." The OSIRIS-APEX mission repurposes the spacecraft from NASA's successful OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission, which deposited its extraterrestrial treasure back on Earth in 2023. The spacecraft was still in good shape and had plenty of fuel left over, making it an ideal candidate for a new mission. The asteroid Apophis is expected to pass about 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) from Earth on April 13, 2029, providing scientists with a rare opportunity to study its composition and behavior. The OSIRIS-APEX mission aims to gather data on the asteroid's size, shape, and surface features. The reinstatement of OSIRIS-APEX is seen as a victory for scientists who had been working tirelessly to preserve the mission. "This decision is a testament to the importance of continued investment in space science," said Dr. Maria Zuber, NASA's Associate Administrator for Science. "We're thrilled that we can continue to explore and learn more about our universe." However, not all NASA science missions have been as fortunate. The Trump administration's budget blueprint still proposes canceling several other programs, including the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) and the Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx). These missions are currently in limbo, with their futures uncertain. The reinstatement of OSIRIS-APEX highlights the challenges faced by scientists working on NASA's science programs. "It's a rollercoaster ride," said DellaGiustina. "You never know what's going to happen next." Despite the uncertainty, scientists remain optimistic about the future of space exploration. "This is a great example of how NASA can repurpose existing resources and make the most of our investments," said Dr. Zuber. The OSIRIS-APEX mission is expected to launch in 2026, with a planned arrival at Apophis in 2030. The mission will provide valuable insights into the asteroid's composition and behavior, helping scientists better understand the risks posed by near-Earth asteroids. As the space community continues to navigate the challenges of budget cuts and uncertainty, one thing is clear: the OSIRIS-APEX mission has been given a new lease on life, and scientists are eager to see what discoveries lie ahead. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*