Apophis: What the 2029 flyby could mean for satellites and Earth
The Apophis asteroid is expected to pass by Earth in a few years and, while it is unlikely to intersect the orbits of geostationary satellites, there is a real chance that one of these devices could experience a disruption. This concern was raised in an interview with Nikolai Zheleznov, a senior researcher at the Institute of Applied Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and reported by RIA News.
On the balance, the expert suggested that the asteroid will most likely continue on a path that avoids direct contact with orbital satellites. Yet he cautioned that even a tiny, theoretical chance can exist in celestial mechanics, given the many variables involved in tracking an object this large and distant.
Initial calculations indicate that Apophis will pass at a distance that keeps it away from the regular space lanes of Earth’s fixed satellites, especially since many satellites operate at inclinations that keep them above the equatorial plane.
According to Zheleznov’s assessment, the encounter could still lead to a brief, non-catastrophic disturbance in a satellite’s operations, potentially disabling one spacecraft at most. Such an incident would not pose broad threats to the planet or to the people living on it.
Historically, the discussion around Apophis has included warnings that if the asteroid were to strike Earth, even at a distant moment, the consequences could be severe. Zheleznov has noted that a close approach to the planet could result in an impact near the size of many large regions within Russia, underscoring why astronomers monitor such objects so closely [attribution: Institute of Applied Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences].
Earlier events included a capsule containing about 250 grams of rock from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, believed to be about two billion years old, returning to ground with data and samples that help scientists understand the makeup of such bodies.
Overall, experts emphasize careful observation and continued calculations, because the exact trajectory of Apophis remains the subject of ongoing research and refinement as new observations come in. The goal is to map potential risks precisely and to inform satellite operators and space agencies well in advance, should any anomaly arise during the 2029 approach.