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Science and Technology for Near-Earth Object Impact Prevention

Objective

Impacts of near-Earth objects (NEOs) have contributed to mass extinctions and evolution, and it is a proven fact that NEOs will continue to hit the Earth at irregular intervals in the future, with the potential for catastrophic damage to life and property. With the experience and results gained from the NEOShield project we are now very well equipped to address all aspects of this call, including the development of a European strategy for future research and mission-related endeavours. Our work packages are integrated into a coherent programme of research and development. Building on NEOShield experience we will further develop our GNC systems to allow increased targeting accuracy and relative velocity of a kinetic impactor spacecraft into a small (e.g. 100-300m diameter) asteroid, develop autonomous spacecraft control systems to facilitate navigation close to a low-gravity, irregularly shaped asteroid, demonstrate techniques for precise NEO orbit determination, and develop mechanisms for the collection of material samples. We will carry out astronomical observations of NEOs to improve our understanding of their physical properties, concentrating on the smaller sizes of most concern for mitigation purposes, and to identify further objects suitable for missions for physical characterisation, and NEO deflection demonstration. On the scientific front, our statistical analyses of recently published NEO survey data have been very successful: we will explore the promising avenues that have opened up during our NEOShield research. We will also perform detailed analyses of relevant individual objects (e.g. potentially hazardous objects) on the basis of published data from different observing techniques (radar, infrared, spectroscopy, etc.), in addition to new data obtained. Modelling work and computer simulations will be enhanced to explore the effects of large spin rates, shattered and rubble-pile structures, and mineralogy on an object’s response to a deflection attempt.

Coordinator

AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH
Net EU contribution
€ 907 381,00
Address
Willy-messerschmitt-strasse 1
82024 Taufkirchen
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,25

Participants (11)

DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUR LUFT - UND RAUMFAHRT EV
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 432 465,00
Address
Linder Hohe
51147 Koln

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
France
Net EU contribution
€ 449 938,00
Address
31 Rue Des Cosmonautes Zi Du Palays
31402 Toulouse Cedex

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Region
Occitanie Midi-Pyrénées Haute-Garonne
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE LTD
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 110 000,00
Address
Gunnels Wood Road
SG1 2AS Stevenage

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Region
East of England Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Hertfordshire
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France
Net EU contribution
€ 330 000,00
Address
Rue Michel Ange 3
75794 Paris

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
DEIMOS SPACE SOCIEDAD LIMITADA UNIPERSONAL
Spain
Net EU contribution
€ 434 625,00
Address
Ronda De Poniente, Edificio Fiteni Vi, 2, 2º 19
28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid)

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

DEIMOS SPACE SRL
Romania
Net EU contribution
€ 45 375,00
Address
Strada Buzesti 75-77
011013 Bucuresti

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Region
Macroregiunea Trei Bucureşti-Ilfov Bucureşti
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 352 710,00
Address
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 Munchen

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
GMV AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE SA
Spain
Net EU contribution
€ 337 001,00
Address
Calle Isaac Newton Parque Tecnologico De Madrid
28760 Tres Cantos

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 43,79
ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI ASTROFISICA
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 185 001,00
Address
Viale Del Parco Mellini 84
00136 Roma

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Region
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,25
OBSERVATOIRE DE PARIS
France
Net EU contribution
€ 529 088,75
Address
Avenue De L Observatoire 61
75014 Paris

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 103 486,00
Address
University Road Lanyon Building
BT7 1NN Belfast

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Region
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Belfast
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,25