ESA and JAXA Partner on Ramses Mission to Asteroid Apophis

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have formally expanded their collaboration on planetary defence to better protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts. On May 7, 2026, the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) and a specific cooperation agreement for the RAMSES mission, which targets the near-Earth asteroid Apophis.

The signing ceremony took place at the Embassy of Italy in Berlin. The agreement was signed by YAMAKAWA Hiroshi, President of JAXA, and Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA.

The RAMSES mission, which stands for Rapid Apophis Mission for SpacE Safety, is a key component of this new partnership. The event was hosted by the Italian Embassy in Berlin in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), following the selection of OHB Italia as the prime contractor for the mission.

The Framework of Planetary Defence

Planetary defence is described as an international effort focused on the detection and characterization of near-Earth objects, such as asteroids, at an early stage. The primary goal is to accurately determine the orbits of these objects to assess potential impact risks to Earth.

If a credible threat is identified, the framework involves developing and implementing specific measures to avoid or mitigate the possible consequences of an impact.

Activities aimed at addressing asteroid impact hazards, often referred to as Space guard, began intensifying in the 1990s. These activities have since evolved into a coordinated global initiative with significant oversight from the United Nations.

International and National Policy Alignment

The partnership between ESA and JAXA aligns with broader international efforts to prioritize space safety. The United Nations has designated 2029 as the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence.

Within Japan, these activities are supported by the Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy, which explicitly identifies planetary defence activities as a priority.

The collaboration between JAXA and ESA ensures that the RAMSES mission to Apophis will benefit from the shared technical expertise and resources of both agencies as they work to characterize one of the most closely watched near-Earth objects.