Directory of Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Resources

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NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) Shoemaker spacecraft was launched in 1996 and conducted the first long-term, close-up study of an asteroid (Asteroid 433 Eros). NEAR Shoemaker touched down on the surface of Eros on February 12, 2001, and ceased communications on February 28, 2001, marking the end of the very successful mission.

Resources in This Category

• Boulders Seen on Asteroid

  http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0005/17near/
  An image from NEAR's low orbit showing massive boulders on the surface of Eros.

• Gold rush in space?

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/401227.stm
  Article on NEAR's first encounter with Eros. Suggests that the asteroid may contain trillions of dollars worth of precious metals.

• How Asteroids Work

  http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/astronomy-terms/asteroid.htm
  Illustrated description of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft.

• Mission Archive: NEAR Encounter at Eros

  http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/near_archive.html
  A large collection of news stories and images, from Space.com.

• Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Mission

  http://near.jhuapl.edu/
  NEAR - First spacecraft to orbit an asteroid, to answer fundamental questions about the nature and origin of near-Earth objects, such as the numerous asteroids and comets in the vicinity of Earth's orbit. First launch in the Discovery Program, a NASA initiative for small planetary missions.

• NEAR Information

  http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/near.html
  Detailed mission information, images, and links related to the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous.

• NEAR Science Update

  http://near.jhuapl.edu/news/sci_updates/00jun01.html
  A scientific news briefing summarizing the discoveries made by NEAR.

• NEAR Team Deactivates Spacecraft's Near-Infrared Sensor

  http://near.jhuapl.edu/news/flash/00jun07.html
  Status report on the Near-Infraed Sensor and implications for the mission.

Related Categories

• Home > Science > Technology > Space > NASA > Discovery Program
• Home > Science > Astronomy > Solar System > Small Bodies > Asteroids

 

Home > Science > Technology > Space > Missions > Unmanned > Asteroids and Comets > Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous

 

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