Hello Aspirants!
In today’s blog we will be learning about the new Spacecraft developed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). NASA announced that all the required tests are completed and the spacecraft has been safely tucked inside the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
We will let you know about the important features of this spacecraft, its significance and other key facts. So read carefully the whole blog to understand NEA Scout clearly.
What is NEA Scout?
Near-Earth Asteroid Scout (NEA Scout) is a small spacecraft about the size of a big shoebox. It is a miniaturized spacecraft, known as CubeSat which is developed under NASA’s Advanced Exploration System (AES) Program.
Its main mission is to fly by and gather data from a near-Earth asteroid. It will also be the first interplanetary mission of the United States using a special solar sail propulsion system. This will be the first time that spacecraft will use its winds to generate thirst and move forward.
It is among one of the several payloads that will hitch a ride on Artemis I. Artemis I is expected to launch in November.
What are CubeSats?
CubeSats are small spacecraft with a lot of potential for space-based science, exploration, engineering support, Earth observation, and relay communication. CubeSats provide prospects for increased science return and operational support of larger missions, in addition to their efficiency, low cost, and compatibility with larger payloads.
It is being designed and developed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre in Huntsville, Alabama and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
Importance of NEA Scout
- Artemis I is expected to launch in November, and NEA Scout is one of several payloads that will accompany it.
- Some near-Earth asteroids are hazardous to Earth. Their understanding could help to formulate effective strategies that can reduce the damage caused if any.
- The images gathered by NEA Scout will provide critical information related to the orbit, shape, rotation, dust, volume and debris field surrounding it and surface properties.
- This data will expand knowledge about smaller asteroid classes (less than 330 feet) that has never been explored before.
Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)
These are comets and asteroids that have been nudged by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits which allow them to enter into Earth’s neighbourhood. They are composed of water ice with embedded particles.
Artemis I
Artemis I is the first series of increasingly complex missions that will enable humans to explore the Moon and Mars. During this program, NASA will land the first woman on the MOON to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.
With this we come to the end of this blog. We discussed all the relevant points related to the NEO Scout. We also talked about CubeSats for better understanding of the topic.
Keep reading and stay tuned for more such blogs on hranker.com.
 is a small spacecraft about the size of a big shoebox. It is a miniaturized spacecraft, known as CubeSat which is developed under NASA’s Advanced Exploration System (AES) Program. ){kind=link}