An asteroid that will pass closer to the Earth than most satellites will provide scientists an opportunity to study how to defend the Earth from impacts, according to a report.

The asteroid, 99942 Apophis, will pass close to the Earth in 2029, and the European Space Agency plans to send a spacecraft to study the object, according to the Guardian.

Recommended Stories

Asteroid size of firetruck expected to buzz Earth in closest flyby in 300 years

Asteroid zooming past Earth

Inside NASA’s asteroid watcher program