Congress Secures Funding for NASA's Apophis Mission in 2029

NASA's mission to the asteroid Apophis, known as OSIRIS-APEX, has been secured thanks to Congressional action reversing previous budget cuts. This project, which faced potential cancellation, has now received $20 million in funding and is set to explore Apophis in 2029. Meanwhile, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has successfully gathered samples from the asteroid Bennu, providing valuable insights into the origins of life on Earth.

Although the mission encountered challenges with excess material spilling from its collection container, it marks a significant achievement in asteroid exploration. As NASA navigates budget constraints, the future of several other projects remains uncertain, highlighting the ongoing challenges in space exploration funding.