The NEOWISE mission, short for Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, has made significant contributions in its active years since 2013. Despite its fruitful endeavors, the space telescope is now facing an inevitable fate due to the influence of the Sun.
During its tenure, NEOWISE discovered a one-of-a-kind comet, observed over 3,000 near-Earth objects, supported planetary defense strategies, and aided other space missions. However, its orbit is deteriorating due to heightened solar activity, and it’s projected to fall into Earth’s atmosphere by early 2025, rendering it unusable before eventually burning up upon reentry.
The Sun’s 11-year cycle of increased activity, known as solar maximum, is impacting NEOWISE’s orbit. As the Sun approaches this phase, atmospheric gases expand, creating more drag on satellites orbiting Earth, causing them to slow down. Unfortunately, NEOWISE lacks the means to maintain its orbit, leading to its gradual descent back to Earth.
Originally a reactivation of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission in 2013, NEOWISE redefined its purpose by focusing on surveying and studying near-Earth asteroids and comets, contributing crucial data for planetary defense efforts. Its contributions have been substantial, characterizing numerous near-Earth objects, aiding in refining their orbits and size estimations.
Although NEOWISE’s journey is coming to an end, its legacy persists. The mission’s archive of observations, spanning a vast period, remains a valuable resource for future research in the infrared universe. Moreover, the upcoming NEO Surveyor mission aims to build on NEOWISE’s groundwork, advancing our understanding of near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies.
This mission underscores NASA’s commitment to planetary defense, a directive aiming to discover and characterize a significant percentage of near-Earth objects to mitigate potential threats. Managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NEOWISE has played a pivotal role in fulfilling these objectives.
NEOWISE’s contributions to astronomy and planetary defense will endure, as its extensive dataset continues to inspire new discoveries and advancements in our understanding of the celestial realm.
