Apophis Rendezvous Mission: I. Science Goals

99942 Apophis is an Sq-type Aten group Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) with an estimated size of 370 m. It will approach the Earth to come within the geostationary orbit during the upcoming encounter on April 13, 2029 to offer a unique chance to study its 1) global properties, 2) surface arrangements, and 3) their detectable changes expected to happen, in sub-meter scale. What measurable scientific goals for the asteroid in this "once a millennium" event could transform our knowledge of planetary science and defense? The Apophis rendezvous mission aims to understand the characteristics of the small solar system body's nature. It also prepares for potential threats from natural objects by measuring in-situ surface, shape, rotation, and orbit changes expected to occur when the target asteroid passes close to the Earth in 2029. We will present an overview of the mission scheduled to be launched from late 2026 to early 2027 and introduce scientific objectives.