NEO precursor studies

While obtaining information on a NEO (or even on a number of them) can improve our knowledge on that specific object (or on the NEO population), because of the wide variety of object types, it does not reduce the uncertainties on our ability to prevent a collision for a given impactor.
In particular the ability to change the orbit of an object (deflection) has not yet been demonstrated, and a vital link in the chain from threat identification to threat mitigation is therefore missing.
The development of precursor experiments and missions provides an excellent opportunity for international cooperation, from which all partners benefit in terms of mission return, technology development and public relations.

GSP precursor studies

In July 2002, the General Studies Programme of the European Space Agency provided funding for preliminary studies of six space missions that could make significant contributions to our knowledge of NEOs (Near-Earth Objects):

• EUNEOS (European NEO Survey) - a space telescope in an inner solar orbit for NEO discovery

   

• EARTHGUARD-I - a small space telescope for NEO discovery, especially the Atens and “Inner-Earth Objects” (IEOs) that are difficult or impossible to detect from the ground

   

• NERO (NEO Remote Observations) - an optical/infrared space telescope for NEO discovery and physical characterisation

   

• SIMONE (Smallsat Intercept Missions to Objects Near Earth) - a fleet of low-cost microsatellites for multiple NEO rendezvous and in-situ remote sensing

   

• ISHTAR (Internal Structure High-resolution Tomography by Asteroid Rendezvous) - utilises radar tomography for in-situ study of internal structure

   

• DON QUIJOTE - utilises explosive charges, an impactor, seismic detectors and accelerometers for in-situ study of internal structure and momentum transfer