Near-Earth Objects (NEO)
Observing space rocks
Space rocks such as comets and asteroids approach the Earth and enter the Earth’s atmosphere regularly. The EU supports activities that help to study and track those space rocks to better understand possible risks.
NEO in a nutshell
Space rocks such as comets and asteroids approach the Earth and enter the Earth’s atmosphere regularly. The EU supports activities that help to study and track those space rocks to better understand possible risks.
NEO is a subcomponent of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) component of the EU Space Programme. It coordinates and improves European capabilities and activities related to the monitoring of space rocks whose orbits approach or cross the Earth's orbit.
Why is NEO important?
Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are comets and asteroids (space rocks) that are approaching the Earth or are in an orbit close to Earth. They played a role in the evolution of our planet, and, even today, enter the Earth’s atmosphere regularly.
The possible risks of large space rocks entering the Earth’s atmosphere have led to EU efforts to track and study NEOs. These efforts will help to better understand the risks involved with NEOs. This is useful for potential future NEO missions should a deflection procedure be required to reduce the likelihood of a collision with Earth.
The EU supports activities that help enhance the knowledge and understanding of NEOs. For example, it maps Member States' capabilities to detect and monitor NEOs, promotes networking among Member States' facilities and research centres through a yearly conference, and develops a European catalogue of physical properties of NEOs i.e. what NEOs are made of.
The European Commission is the programme manager for NEO.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is the entrusted partner of the European Commission for NEO. Under the supervision of the Commission, it prepares, launches and carries out studies and procurement procedures to enhance knowledge and understanding of NEOs.
The European Parliament and the Council are currently working on new legislative proposals from the European Commission, in particular the proposal for a European Competitiveness Fund Regulation (2028–2034). The outcome of these proposals, once adopted by the co-legislators, will help shape the future of NEO.
NEO in my daily life
Depending on its trajectory and exact impact location, major asteroids or comets approaching the Earth may affect infrastructure and human life on Earth. Better knowledge and understanding of NEOs will help decision-makers and civil protection authorities to take measures to mitigate the impact of a near-Earth Object on life and infrastructure on Earth – so that we can continue going about our daily lives here on Earth.
NEO keeps the economy spinning
To enhance knowledge and understanding of NEOs, the Commission, through its entrusted partner, the European Space Agency (ESA), regularly launches procurement procedures in relevant ESA portals. These procedures are tendered to entities, such as private companies, research institutes, etc., thereby supporting the economic activities.
Other Space Situational Awareness subcomponents
Geomagnetic storms and solar flares can harm satellite electronics in space and impact electricity grids on Earth. Understanding the effects of space weather is key to mitigate the risks associated with them.
The SST subcomponent protects satellites from collisions in space, monitors their re-entries into Earth’s atmosphere, and assesses in-orbit fragmentations