NASA has secured critical funding to continue the OSIRIS-APEX mission, a project aimed at studying an asteroid that will have an exceptionally close flyby of Earth in 2029. This development comes after the previous administration’s plans to cancel the mission, part of a broader effort to trim the agency’s scientific initiatives.

Originally listed among 19 NASA science missions targeted for elimination in a proposed budget earlier this year, OSIRIS-APEX faced potential cancellation under the White House’s budget blueprint. However, recent negotiations and budget revisions have led to the mission’s reinstatement, allowing scientists to proceed with their research and preparations.

“We were initially slated for cancellation as part of the president’s budget request. Fortunately, we were reinstated and given a clear plan to move forward in Fiscal Year 2026,” said Dani DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona. “Our spacecraft is in good health, and we are ready to continue our work.”

The OSIRIS-APEX mission aims to gather vital data about the asteroid’s composition, trajectory, and physical properties, which could be crucial for planetary defense strategies. The asteroid’s close approach in 2029 offers a rare opportunity for detailed observation, potentially improving our understanding of near-Earth objects (NEOs).

While OSIRIS-APEX’s future appears secured, other NASA science missions remain uncertain amidst ongoing budget negotiations. The situation highlights the importance of sustained investment in space research, which can yield significant insights into planetary safety, solar system evolution, and technological innovation.

For more information on NASA’s asteroid tracking efforts and planetary defense initiatives, visit the official NASA Planetary Defense webpage or consult resources from the Planetary Society and the European Space Agency’s NEO Coordination Centre.

Ethan Cole

I'm Ethan Cole, a tech journalist with a passion for uncovering the stories behind innovation. I write about emerging technologies, startups, and the digital trends shaping our future. Read me on x.com