OREANDA-NEWS   Scientists of the Institute of Space Research The Russian Academy of Sciences and Samara University propose, after the completion of the scientific program of the Russian-German observatory "Spektr-RG" in 2029, to send the telescope to the potentially dangerous asteroid Apophis for its more detailed study, it follows from the materials that scientists are going to present at the Royal Readings.

"According to preliminary estimates, by 2029, after the completion of the main mission, there will be enough fuel on board the Spektr-RG space observatory to supply the pulses necessary for the close passage of some asteroids," the materials published on the Royal Readings website say.

"The year 2029 is of particular interest, because this year the next close approach to the Earth of the potentially dangerous asteroid Apophis will take place. Thus, this object can be considered as one of the most preferable for additional studies involving the refinement of the mass," the scientists specify.

Currently, Spektr-RG is located at the L2 Lagrange point (where the mutual gravity of the Earth and the Sun is balanced). In addition to the Russian-German observatory, scientists are considering the American Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite and the European Gaia as a candidate for a flight to the asteroid. The first "hangs" in the vicinity of point L1, the second — in the vicinity of a similar point L2 (differs from L1 in that it is not between the Earth and the Sun, but "behind" our planet).