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NASA Concludes NEOWISE Mission

  • 13 Aug 2024

In August, 2024, NASA has officially ended the NEOWISE mission, concluding a pivotal chapter in monitoring near-Earth objects and planetary defence.

Key Points

  • Mission Evolution: Originally launched as WISE in December 2009 to map the infrared sky, NEOWISE was repurposed to track asteroids and comets threatening Earth after its initial mission.
  • Scientific Contributions: NEOWISE discovered over 3,000 near-Earth objects and 25 new comets, including comet C/2020 F3, which became visible to the naked eye in 2020. The spacecraft produced 1.45 million infrared measurements and detailed all-sky maps.
  • Mission End Reason: The mission concluded due to the spacecraft's descent to a lower orbit, caused by increased drag from a heated upper atmosphere. NEOWISE is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up by late 2024.
  • Legacy and Future: NEOWISE's data has greatly enhanced understanding of near-Earth objects and will support future missions like the NEO Surveyor, designed to detect elusive asteroids and comets. The mission's success lays a strong foundation for ongoing planetary defence efforts.