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After nearly 15 years of operation, the NEOWISE satellite burned up in the atmosphere, but left a legacy that will power NASA's next asteroid-hunting mission.
NASA announced the end of an era last Friday (1), when the NEOWISE satellite, also known as the “asteroid hunter”, re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere and was incinerated as planned. After almost 15 years of operation and more than 3 asteroids detected, the legacy of this NASA mission continues to impact science.
Meet the NEOWISE satellite, which went from universe explorer to asteroid hunter
Launched in December 2009 as WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer), the satellite began its journey aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Its initial mission was to observe the cosmos in infrared wavelengths, revealing secrets that the human eye cannot see. Over the course of more than a year, WISE has provided us with astonishing discoveries: super-luminous galaxies, millions of hidden black holes and extremely cool stars.
But in February 2011, when the supply of cooling needed for its operation ran out, the satellite was put into hibernation. However, the story was far from over. In 2013, it was reactivated with a new mission: to locate near-Earth objects (NEOs). Thus, NEOWISE was born, a true asteroid hunter.
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The Success of NASA's Asteroid Hunter
Since its reactivation, the asteroid hunter has proven to be a crucial tool in detecting asteroids. According to Amy Mainzer, the mission's principal investigator, the probe has stood out for its efficiency in identifying these celestial bodies. In an interview with Space.com, she highlighted the importance of the data collected by the satellite.
Joseph Hunt, the last manager of NEOWISE project, said the mission exceeded all initial expectations. The data obtained will continue to be a valuable source of research for the scientific community for decades. “The mission was one of NASA’s most successful asteroid detection missions,” said Hunt.
What led to NEOWISE's 'death'?
The demise of NEOWISE was not caused by a technical failure or outdated technology. In fact, the cause was nature itself: the solar cycle. During solar maximum, which occurs every 11 years, the Sun reaches a peak of activity, resulting in solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CME). This increased activity heats and expands the Earth's atmosphere.
As a result, the satellite, which was in a low orbit and had no propulsion system, ended up succumbing to increased atmospheric resistance. NASA confirmed that the end of the mission was planned, and the asteroid hunter fulfilled its role until the last moment.
A new asteroid hunter
While NEOWISE has said goodbye, NASA’s mission to protect Earth from asteroids is far from over. The agency is already looking to the future with the development of the NEO Surveyor, the first space telescope designed specifically to search for near-Earth objects in infrared wavelengths.
NEO Surveyor, scheduled to launch in 2027, promises to take planetary defense to the next level. It will be able to detect asteroids with greater precision and range, helping NASA identify potential threats earlier. This new tool will aid NASA’s mission to monitor space and protect our planet.
Why is asteroid detection so important?
Detecting asteroids is not just a matter of scientific curiosity. These celestial bodies, although fascinating, can pose a real risk to Earth. Events such as the impact that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs show the destructive power that an asteroid can have.
That's why NASA invests in missions like NEOWISE and the future NEO Surveyor. Identifying and tracking asteroids allows scientists to develop strategies to deflect or minimize the impact of these objects if one of them enters a collision course with Earth.
The end of the asteroid hunter NEOWISE marks the end of a historic mission, but its legacy lives on. Over the course of nearly 15 years, the satellite not only located thousands of asteroids, but also contributed to our understanding of the universe at a broader level. The data it collected will continue to be analyzed and used by scientists around the world.
