Recommendations for an ESA Initiative to Further our Understanding of the Near-Earth Object Impact Hazard

Abstract

In July 2002 the general studies programme of European Space Agency (ESA) provided funding for preliminiary studies of six space missions that could make significant contributions to our knowledge of near-Earth objects. Following the completion and presentation of these studies, the ESA Near-Earth Object Mission Advisory Panel (NEOMAP) was established in January 2004. NEOMAP was charged with the task of advising ESA on the most effective options for ESA participation in a space mission to contribute to our unterstanding of the physical nature of near-Earth asteroids and the terrestrial impact hazard. This paper summarizes the final recommendations of the panel.