Overview
The George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act requires NASA to detect, track, catalogue and characterize near-Earth asteroids and comets at least 140 meters (460 feet) in diameter to assess the threat of them striking Earth. The NEO Surveyor program is designed to make significant progress toward meeting this mandate set by Congress.
NEO Surveyor will help advance the nation’s planetary defense efforts to detect more than 90% of all potentially hazardous asteroids and comets with a size of 140 meters (460 meters) or greater. Over a five-year span, NEO Surveyor will use two heat-sensitive infrared imaging channels to detect both bright and dark asteroids. Bright asteroids reflect light, making them easier to detect. However, dark asteroids absorb light, making them harder to see in visible wavelengths. NEO Surveyor will detect faint infrared signatures of near-Earth objects (NEO). BAE Systems is heavily engaged in development of the components and systems that make this possible.
Our Role
BAE Systems is under contract to provide the spacecraft, sunshade system and deployable aperture cover for NEO Surveyor, as well as a variety of mission-enabling cryogenic thermomechanical components for the instrument system. Additionally, we will lead assembly, integration and test of the observatory and provide launch integration support.