Airplane-Sized Asteroid to Safely Skim Past Earth on July 4, NASA Confirms

NASA has announced that asteroid 2025 MV89, a 120-foot-wide space rock comparable to a small passenger airplane, will safely pass Earth on July 4, 2025, at a distance of 1.22 million kilometers. Traveling at a speed of 31,204 km/h (19,441 mph), the asteroid, part of the orbit-crossing Aten group, poses no threat, as it is neither large enough (over 150 meters) nor close enough (within 7.4 million kilometers) to be classified as hazardous.

Despite its safe passage, NASA is closely monitoring 2025 MV89, as even minor orbital shifts could alter future trajectories. The flyby underscores the importance of continuous space surveillance, with India’s space agency, ISRO, also intensifying its planetary defense efforts.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath recently highlighted collaborative initiatives with NASA, ESA, and JAXA to enhance asteroid detection and response systems, citing the upcoming 2029 fly by of the larger asteroid Apophis as a key focus.

Also Read: NHAI Cracks Down on Shoddy Work: Contractor, Engineer Suspended on Amritsar-Jamnagar Corridor

ISRO is exploring missions to land on asteroids to assess risks and develop protective measures. The event serves as a reminder of the need for global cooperation to safeguard Earth from potential celestial threats, reinforcing ongoing efforts to track and study near-Earth objects.

Also Read: Delhi CM Pledges ‘All-Out Efforts’ to Address Overage Vehicle Ban Concerns