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Keck Institute for Space Studies

Symposium: Capturing an Opportunity at Apophis

July 31 - August 1, 2024

Keck Institute for Space Studies, Caltech

Asteroid 99942, also known as Apophis, will make a close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029, coming within 31,860 kilometers of Earth (within the geostationary belt), presenting a unique opportunity to study its characteristics and trajectory, enhancing our understanding of near-Earth objects and planetary defense.

The symposium will focus primarily on evaluating the expected science return from a rendezvous mission to Apophis during its close Earth flyby that is being developed jointly by Caltech, JPL and CNES, along with industry partners. The science motivation for the mission focuses on what can be learned regarding the strength and interior structure of Apophis from observations before and after its closest approach, as well as an active bistatic radar experiment. The adequacy of the planned instruments and operational plan, and the feed forward into designing and modeling the deflection of a hazardous asteroid will be assessed. Suggestions for additional measurements that would enhance the science return will be considered. The objectives of this KISS symposium are to:

  • Review what we can learn from specific measurements at Apophis and how they will advance the science of planetary defense, using the Small Bodies Assessment Group’s Apophis Specific Action Team Report as a backdrop
  • Provide guidance to the Apophis mission planning team at Caltech and JPL, to ensure the highest science return within cost and other constraints
  • Define how the open data will be utilized to apply knowledge gained regarding the nature of rubble pile asteroids in general, and Apophis in particular to reduce modeling uncertainties in designing a future deflection attempt

Key outcomes of our Symposium will be:

  • A set of recommendations to the mission team regarding the highest priority instrument capabilities and data products to exploit the Apophis close flyby opportunity and improve readiness for mitigating a hazardous asteroid
  • A plan for follow-on activities to prepare for using the mission data to understand Apophis’ interior and provide inputs to asteroid deflection modeling codes


Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Keck Center - Think Tank, Room 155

Capturing an Opportunity at Apophis: KISS Symposium
Time
Event
Speaker
8:30 - 9:00 Coffee and refreshments
9:00 - 9:15 Workshop Logistics and Introduction to KISS

Harriet Brettle
9:15 - 9:45 Participant Introductions Harriet Brettle
9:45 - 10:15 Vision and goals for this Symposium

Carol Raymond

Jose Andrade
10:15 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 11:20 Keynote #1 - Introduction to the Caltech Apophis mission plan

Carol Raymond

Jose Andrade
11:20 - 12:00 Keynote #2 - The Importance of Apophis' Interior Erik Asphaug
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 1:45 Keynote #3 - SBAG Specific Action Team report and science outcomes Jessie Dotson
1:45 - 2:30 Keynote #4 - Predictions of Apophis's internal structure in response to its 2029 flyby Toshi Hirabayashi
2:30 - 3:30

Breakout discussion sessions:

- Feedback on the Caltech mission concept and how it fits with other missions to Apophis

- How an Apophis mission will be used to further planetary science and planetary defense objectives

- Data to modelling - mutual benefits and identification of potential gaps

 Groups
3:30 - 4:00 Break
4:00 - 5:00 Report outs from breakout groups and Plenary discussion Team Leads
5:00 - 5:30 Solicitation of Lightning Talks and Breakout Group topics for day 2 Team Leads
5:30 - 6:00 Pack up and walk to the Athenaeum All
6:00 Dinner at the Athenaeum

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Keck Center - Think Tank, Room 155

Time
Event
Speaker
8:00 - 8:30 Institute Opens - FREE THINK TIME
8:30 - 9:00 Coffee and Refreshments at Keck Center
9:00 - 9:15 Logistics and Team Lead Goals for the Day

Harriet Brettle and

Team Leads
9:15 - 9:45 Keynote Talk #5 - What can be learned from low-frequency radar observations of Apophis? Mark Haynes
9:45 - 10:30

Lightning Talks

- Resurfacing Modeling and Estimates

- COSYMO Modeling of Apophis

- Transponder on Surface for RT Rotational State Measurements

- Radar Opportunities

 TBD by participants
10:30 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:00

Breakout discussion sessions

- Communications - what are the key factoids/talking points for Apophis

- Mechanical Properties of Apophis - how do we measure strength?

- All the flavors of radar

 Groups
12:00 - 12:30 Report outs from breakout groups and Plenary discussion Groups
12:30 - 2:00 Group Picture and Lunch
2:00 - 3:00

Group Pulse

Open Discussion of Breakout Group Recommendations and Path Forward

 All
3:00 - 3:30 Informal Small Group Collaboration Time All
3:30 - 4:00 Break
4:00 - 5:00

Final Session drafting Symposium outputs:

- Set of recommendations to the mission team

- A plan for follow-on activities

 Groups
5:00 Institute Closes

List of Attendees

Symposium Participants:

  • Paul Abell - NASA Johnson Space Center
  • Jose Andrade - Caltech
  • Jim Bell - Arizona State University
  • Lance Benner – JPL
  • Rick Binzel - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Katie Bouman - Caltech
  • Artur Chmielewski - JPL
  • Paul Chodas - JPL
  • Adriana Daca - Caltech
  • Bjorn Davidsson - JPL
  • Rich Dekany - Caltech
  • Joseph DeMartini – University of Maryland
  • Jessie Dotson - NASA Ames Research Center
  • Charles Elachi - Caltech
  • Lorraine Fesq - JPL
  • Dathon Golish - University of Arizona
  • Mark Haynes - JPL
  • George Helou - Caltech
  • Toshi Hirabayashi - Georgia Institute of Technology
  • James Keane - JPL
  • Yaeji Kim - University of Maryland
  • Martin Laabs - Dresden University of Technology
  • Ryan Park - JPL
  • Dirk Plettemeier - Dresden University of Technology
  • Carol Raymond - JPL

Travel Information

Lodging for out-of-town attendees

There are a number of hotels that are close to the Caltech campus where we have a negotiated rate. (Please note that this negotiated rate does not guarantee you the lowest rate as there may be internet specials or AAA rates that may be better.)


Parking (for Visitors and for JPL Personnel)

For Visitors: From the Arroyo Parkway, turn right (east) on Del Mar Avenue. Proceed approximately one and a quarter miles. The Caltech campus will be on your right. Turn right (south) onto Wilson Avenue. Turn right into the North Wilson Structure and park in an unmarked spot. Buy a parking permit from the kiosk located inside the North Wilson Structure.

For JPL Personnel: JPLers may use their JPL hang tag for parking or request a special parking hangtag from the JPL parking office. Employees who do not have on-Lab parking privileges can obtain a hang tag created for this purpose from JPL parking coordinator Robert Kennedy (818-354-4586, Building 310-108B, 9/80 schedule). Please park in an unmarked spot in the North Wilson Structure located on Wilson Avenue.


Maps and General Information on Pasadena





Schedule

Contact Us:

8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
  (626) 395-6630