The ESA-JAXA Ramses planetary-defence spacecraft has completed its first integrated switch-on at OHB Italia’s cleanroom in Milan. Engineers powered the onboard computer together with connected storage, power-distribution and remote-terminal units, confirming that the core systems can communicate and operate as an integrated spacecraft.
Ramses is scheduled to launch by spring 2028 and rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis during its close, safe passage by Earth on 13 April 2029. The mission will study how the encounter changes the asteroid and will contribute to planetary-defence research.