NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX Spacecraft Captures Breathtaking Earth Images

NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft has recently captured remarkable images of Earth during a high-speed slingshot maneuver. This event occurred on September 23, 2025, as the probe approached the planet, marking a significant step in its mission toward the asteroid Apophis. The images reveal stunning details of Earth’s swirling clouds and blue oceans from just 2,136 miles (3,438 kilometers) above the surface.

As OSIRIS-APEX continued its journey, it also photographed the moon from approximately 370,000 miles (595,000 kilometers) away. These images confirm that the spacecraft’s instruments are functioning well after years in deep space. The flyby served a dual purpose: not only did it provide breathtaking visuals, but it also utilized Earth’s gravity to accelerate the spacecraft on its path toward Apophis.

A New Chapter in Asteroid Exploration

OSIRIS-APEX is the second phase of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which successfully returned samples from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu in 2023. Following this historic achievement, NASA redirected the spacecraft toward Apophis, a stony, metal-rich asteroid that presents a contrasting scientific opportunity compared to Bennu’s carbon-rich composition.

The Apophis asteroid is expected to make a close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029, coming closer than many satellites in orbit. This proximity raises intriguing possibilities, as Earth’s tidal forces could reshape the asteroid’s surface, alter its spin, or even shift its orbit. Once OSIRIS-APEX arrives, it will be the first mission to observe how an asteroid reacts to such a close planetary encounter, according to the mission overview from the University of Arizona.

Mapping and Studying Apophis

Once in orbit around Apophis, OSIRIS-APEX is scheduled to spend approximately 18 months conducting detailed mapping of the asteroid. The mission aims to study its composition and capture high-resolution imagery. Mission planners have also devised an innovative approach to reveal previously hidden materials on the asteroid’s surface. The spacecraft will hover a few meters above Apophis, firing its thrusters downward to disturb the dust and uncover fresh material.

The recent photos of Earth were taken using OSIRIS-APEX’s MapCam imager, equipped with red, green, and blue filters, along with StowCam, which can capture both still images and video. These tools are crucial for verifying the safe storage of collected asteroid samples, as the mission progresses.

As OSIRIS-APEX continues its journey, it will provide trajectory updates and perform additional instrument checks. The insights gained from its mission to Apophis could enhance our understanding of how near-Earth asteroids evolve and respond to gravitational forces. With these stunning images and the promising research ahead, NASA’s mission is poised to contribute significantly to the field of planetary science.