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Explanation: The first controlled descent of a spacecraft onto an asteroid is scheduled to occur next week. The robot spacecraft NEAR-Shoemaker has been orbiting asteroid Eros for nearly one year On February 12, before maneuvering fuel wanes, NASA will command the craft to descend right down onto the surface. Although the spacecraft is not expected to survive the impact, it is hoped that it can transmit photographs showing surface details as small as 10 centimeters during the descent. The touchdown site, shown above by the yellow circle, is on the edge of the large saddle shaped feature known as Himeros, and near the boundary between two distinct types of surface terrain.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: NEAR-Shoemaker - Eros - asteroid
Publications with words: NEAR-Shoemaker - Eros - asteroid
See also:
- APOD: 2026 August 5 Á Spokes on Saturn's B Ring
- APOD: 2026 July 29 Á Psyche Receives Gravity Assist from Mars
- APOD: 2026 June 30 Á Unusually Smooth Sections of Asteroid Itokawa
- 3D Bennu
- Ida and Dactyl: Asteroid and Moon
- Asteroid Donaldjohanson
- APOD: 2025 February 12 Á Asteroid Bennu Holds the Building Blocks of Life