ExLabs Collaborates with ChibaTech on Groundbreaking Asteroid Exploration Mission

ExLabs has officially announced a partnership with the Chiba Institute of Technology (ChibaTech) to send unique payloads to the surface of asteroid Apophis during its anticipated close approach to Earth in April 2029. This mission, dubbed ApophisExL, is being hailed as the world’s first commercial deep-space rideshare initiative and is receiving support from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Under the direction of Dr. Tomoko Arai, the Director of the Planetary Exploration Research Center (PERC) at ChibaTech, students and researchers are developing two innovative payloads that will land on Apophis. This educational endeavor presents a rare opportunity for students to engage directly with flight hardware that will actually venture beyond Earth's orbit. Dr. Arai emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of the project, stating, "This project challenges us to do three things never done before."

Innovative Mission Goals

The goals of the mission are ambitious and multifaceted. Firstly, it aims to execute a rapid-response planetary defense mission through collaboration between academic institutions and industry players. Secondly, the design of the lander utilizes CubeSat heritage technologies, showcasing modern engineering practices. Finally, students will have hands-on experience in developing the CubeSats that will serve as landers on the asteroid. This mission exemplifies Japan's ongoing legacy in asteroid research and exploration.

Apophis, an asteroid expected to come dangerously close to Earth, will reach a distance of just 32,000 kilometers during its flyby. This proximity allows for potentially billions of people to witness it visibly in the sky. The ExLabs spacecraft, ApophisExL, will rendezvous with the asteroid before its flyby and remain in close proximity throughout the encounter, facilitating critical observation.

ChibaTech's Role

The instrumentation designed by ChibaTech will include a multiband imaging camera aboard the ExLabs mother ship, as well as CubeLanders that are poised to analyze the asteroid's surface composition and structure. Notably, these CubeLanders are adaptations of previous student-led CubeSat projects, integrating lessons learned from Japan’s successful Hayabusa missions.

Joi Ito, the President of Chiba Institute of Technology, remarked on the transformative nature of the project, highlighting how it reshapes students' perceptions of engineering and science. He noted the importance of placing students at the center of real deep-space exploration efforts, further reinforcing Japan's reputation in asteroid missions.

A New Economic Model for Space Exploration

ExLabs’ innovative approach intends to reshape the landscape of deep-space missions, which traditionally have been reserved for large-scale projects funded by national space agencies. The ApophisExL mission introduces a commercial-led paradigm that allows for hosted payload access, ultimately reducing costs and barriers to participation in deep-space exploration.

Keiko Nakamura-Messenger, Vice President of Mission Development at ExLabs, articulates the vision behind this new model, stating, "We’re working to overcome barriers that have historically restricted deep-space exploration to the largest agencies. There exists a wealth of advanced space-qualified instruments and research waiting for launch opportunities. ExLabs aims to provide affordable access to these capabilities and promote international collaboration in the field."

ApophisExL represents the first in a series of similar deep-space missions to follow this new operational approach. Each mission aims to engage various payloads, harnessing untapped scientific potential in a shared space environment.

Technical Collaboration with NASA

To ensure the mission meets established standards, ExLabs is leveraging the expertise of NASA’s JPL for mission architecture support, spacecraft design reviews, and operational planning. Richard Cook, Director of Strategy Formulation at JPL, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its potential to combine rigorous scientific inquiry with scalable operational models.

The collaborative efforts among ExLabs, ChibaTech, and JPL are not just paving the way for innovative deep-space missions but also setting a precedent that intertwines academic achievement with practical applications in space exploration. This project is not merely about reaching an asteroid; it’s about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers who will continue humanity's journey into the cosmos.

About the Organizations

ExLabs is a pioneering commercial deep-space mission operator developing modular, autonomous infrastructures for exploratory missions beyond Earth’s orbit. They aim to democratize access to space through their Mission-as-a-Service model.

Chiba Institute of Technology (ChibaTech), through its Planetary Exploration Research Center (PERC), stands at the forefront of planetary science in Japan, leading research initiatives on celestial bodies while fostering international collaboration to expand humanity's knowledge of the solar system’s origins.

In conclusion, ExLabs and ChibaTech’s collaboration stands as a testament to the innovative spirit driving space exploration today, marking a significant step forward in making deep-space access more inclusive and educational.