List of minor planets and comets visited by spacecraft explained

The following tables list all minor planets and comets that have been visited by robotic spacecraft.

List of minor planets visited by spacecraft

A total of 18 minor planets (asteroids, dwarf planets, and Kuiper belt objects) have been visited by space probes. Moons (not directly orbiting the Sun) and planets are not minor planets and thus are not included in the table below.

Minor planetSpace probe
NameImageDimensions
(km)(a)		Discovery
year		NameClosest approachRemarks
width=60 style="background-color: #ffffcc;" data-sort-type="number" yearwidth=60 style="background-color: #ffffcc;" in kmwidth=60 style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-weight: normal;" in radii(b)
bgcolor=blackalign=center
align=center 1916Galileoalign=center 1991align=right align=right 262Flyby; first asteroid visited by a spacecraft.
bgcolor=blackalign=center
align=center 1884Galileoalign=center 1993align=right align=right 152Flyby; discovered Dactyl; first asteroid with a moon visited by a spacecraft, largest asteroid visited by spacecraft at the time.
bgcolor=blackalign=center
align=center 1885NEAR Shoemakeralign=center 1997align=right align=right 49.5Flyby; largest asteroid visited by a spacecraft at the time.
bgcolor=blackalign=center
align=center 1898NEAR Shoemakeralign=center 1998–2001align=right landedalign=right landed1998 flyby; 2000 orbited (first asteroid studied from orbit); 2001 landing; first asteroid landing, first asteroid orbited by a spacecraft, first near-Earth asteroid (NEA) visited by a spacecraft.
bgcolor=blackalign=center
align=center 1992align=center 1999align=right 26align=right 12.7Flyby; followed by flyby of Comet Borrelly; failed to image it during closest approach, only taking images 14,000 km from the asteroid.
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1942Stardustalign=center 2002align=right align=right Flyby
bgcolor=blackalign=center
align=center 1998Hayabusaalign=center 2005align=right landedalign=right landedLanded; returned dust samples to Earth in 2010 - first sample return mission from asteroid; smallest asteroid visited by a spacecraft, first asteroid visited by a non-NASA spacecraft.
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1969Rosettaalign=center 2008align=right 800align=right 302Flyby; first asteroid visited by the ESA.
bgcolor=blackalign=center
align=center 1852Rosettaalign=center 2010align=right align=right 64.9Flyby on 10 July 2010; largest asteroid visited by a spacecraft at the time.
bgcolor=blackalign=center 525.4align=center 1807Dawnalign=center 2011–2012align=right 200 align=right 0.76Space probe broke orbit on 5 September 2012 and headed to Ceres; first "big four" asteroid visited by a spacecraft, largest asteroid visited by a spacecraft at the time.
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1934Chang'e 2align=center 2012align=right 3.2align=right 0.70Flyby;[1] closest asteroid flyby, first asteroid visited by a Chinese probe.
bgcolor=blackalign=center 939.4align=center 1801Dawnalign=center align=right 35align=right 0.07First "close up" picture of Ceres taken in December 2014; probe entered orbit in March 2015; first dwarf planet visited by a spacecraft, largest asteroid visited by a spacecraft.
bgcolor=blackalign=center 2376.6align=center 1930New Horizonsalign=center align=right align=right 10.5Flyby; first trans-Neptunian object visited, most distant object visited by a spacecraft (at the time of the visit).
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1999Hayabusa2align=center align=right landedalign=right landedRendezvoused with asteroid from June 2018 to November 2019. Successful touchdowns to collect a sample in February and July 2019.[2] Three landers and an explosive impactor successfully deployed to the surface.[3] Returned dust samples to Earth in December 2020.[4]
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1999OSIRIS-RExalign=center align=right landedalign=right landedArrived on 3 December 2018; entered lowest orbit on 12 June 2019; smallest object to be orbited by spacecraft and closest ever orbit;[5] [6] touchdown on 20 October 2020 to collect sample.
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 2014New Horizonsalign=center align=right align=right 380Flew by Arrokoth (nicknamed Ultima Thule) on 1 January 2019, currently farthest object to be visited by a spacecraft.
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1996DART / LICIACubealign=center 2022align=right 1.19align=right 3.1Asteroid of a near-Earth Apollo group; a flyby target; its moon being the kinetic impact target to test asteroid deflection[7] [8]
Dimorphos
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 2003DART / LICIACubealign=center 2022align=right landedalign=right landedMoon of a near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo group; flyby target of one and kinetic impact target of another spacecraft to test asteroid deflection
152830 Dinkineshbgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1999Lucyalign=center 2023align=right 425align=right Flyby; discovered Selam; smallest main-belt asteroid to be visited by a spacecraft[9] [10]
Notes:

a A minor planet's dimensions may be described by x, y, and z axes instead of an (average) diameter due to its non-spherical, irregular shape.

b Closest approach given in multiples of the minor planet's mean radius
List ordered in ascending order by a minor planet's first visit.

Incidental flybys

In addition to the above listed objects, three asteroids have been imaged by spacecraft at distances too large to resolve features (over 100,000 km).

Minor planetSpace probe
NameImageDimensions
(km)(a)		Discovery
year		NameClosest approachRemarks
width=60 style="background-color: #ffffcc;" data-sort-type="number" yearwidth=60 style="background-color: #ffffcc;" in kmwidth=60 style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-weight: normal;" in radii(b)
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 1981Cassini–Huygensalign=center 2000align=right align=right Distant incidental flyby.
bgcolor=blackalign=center align=center 2002New Horizonsalign=center 2006align=right align=right Distant incidental flyby.
align=center align=center 2012Dawnalign=center align=right align=right Distant incidental flyby; approached Ceres to 200,000 km in September 2017 while Dawn was in orbit.[11]

List of comets visited by spacecraft

CometSpace probe
NameImage Dimensions
(km)(a)		Discovery
year		NameClosest approachRemarks
width=60 style="background-color:#ffffcc;" yearwidth=60 style="background-color:#ffffcc;" in kmwidth=60 style="background-color:#ffffcc; font-weight: normal;" in radii(b)
21P/Giacobini–Zinnerbgcolor=black align=center 2align=center 1900ICEalign=center 1985align=right 7,800align=right 7,800First flyby of a comet
1P/Halley15×9Vega 1align=center 1986align=right 8,889align=right 1,620flyby
Vega 2align=center 1986align=right 8,030align=right 1,460flyby
Suiseialign=center 1986align=right 151,000align=right 27,450distant flyby
Sakigakealign=center 1986align=right 6,990,000align=right 1,270,747distant flyby
Giottoalign=center 1986align=right 596align=right 108flyby; first direct images of a comet nucleus
align=center 1986align=right 31,000,000align=right 5,647,000distant flyby
bgcolor=#606060 align=center 2.6align=center 1902Giottoalign=center 1992align=right 200align=right 154flyby
19P/Borrellybgcolor=blackalign=center 8×4×4align=center 1904Deep Space 1align=center 2001align=right 2,171align=right 814flyby; closest approach in September 2001 when probe entered the comet's coma[12]
81P/Wildbgcolor=blackalign=center 5.5×4.0×3.3align=center 1978Stardustalign=center 2004align=right 240align=right 113flyby; first sample return mission from comet to Earth (2006)
9P/Tempel7.6×4.91867Deep Impactalign=center 2005align=right 500align=right 80flyby; delivered an impactor
Deep Impacts impactor vehiclealign=center 2005align=right landedalign=right landedfirst landing on a comet (blasted a crater)
Stardustalign=center 2011align=right 181align=right 57.9flyby; imaged the crater created by Deep Impact
103P/Hartleybgcolor=blackalign=center 1.4align=center 1986EPOXI
(Deep Impact)		align=center 2010align=right 700align=right 1,000flyby; smallest comet visited
67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko4.1×3.3×1.81969Rosettaalign=center 2016align=right landedalign=right landedfirst orbiter of comet (November 2014); impacted surface as of 2016; OSIRIS captured image with 11 cm/px-resolution in Spring 2015[13]
Philae
align=center 2014align=right landedalign=right landedfirst soft landing on a comet (November 2014)
Notes:

(a)Due to a non-spherical, irregular shape, a comet's,, and  axes instead of an (average) diameter are often used to describe its dimensions.

(b)Closest approach given in multiples of the comet's (average mean) radius
 List ordered in ascending order by a comet's first visit.

Incidental flybys

CometSpace probe
NameImage Dimensions
(km)(a)		Discovery
year		NameClosest approachRemarks
width=60 style="background-color:#ffffcc;" yearwidth=60 style="background-color:#ffffcc;" in kmwidth=60 style="background-color:#ffffcc; font-weight: normal;" in radii(b)
D/1895 Q1 (Swift)bgcolor=black align=center unknownalign=center 1895Mariner 4align=center 1967align=right 20,000,000align=right unknownUnconfirmed. Reanalysis of the probe's trajectory in 2005 speculated the probe might've approached the comet's shattered nucleus, explaining the "meteor storm" it encountered

Spacecraft visited by comets

Comet C/2013 A1 passed close by planet Mars in October 2014, closer than the Moon is to Earth.[14] As of early 2014 it was calculated to pass as close as 0.00087abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[14] This was so close that the event was deemed dangerous to spacecraft in orbit around Mars.[15] Spacecraft that were active at that time included 2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, MAVEN, Mars Orbiter Mission, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in Mars orbit – and two on the surface – Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity and the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity.

Future visits

Planned

Legend

width=150 Name !Diameter(a)
(km) 		Year of
discovery 		width=110 Spacecraft !width=80 Year of
visit !		Notes
align=center 186 align=center 1852 Psyche align=center 2029 Large metallic main-belt asteroid[16]
617 Patroclus-Menoetius align=center 141 align=center 1906 Lucy align=center 2033 Binary Jupiter trojan, Trojan camp, 5th-largest Jupiter trojan
align=center 5 align=center 1983 align=center 2028 Rock comet and parent body of Geminids meteor shower[17]
align=center 72 align=center 1973 Lucy align=center 2027 Jupiter trojan with satellite, Greek camp
align=center 42 align=center 1997 Lucy align=center 2028 Jupiter trojan, Greek camp, a slow rotator
align=center 21 align=center 1999 Lucy align=center 2027 Jupiter trojan with satellite, Greek camp
align=center 53 align=center 1999 Lucy align=center 2028 Jupiter trojan, Greek camp
align=center 3.9 align=center 1981 Lucy align=center 2025 Main-belt asteroid and member of the Erigone family[18]
align=center 0.8 align=center 1996 Hera align=center 2026 Probe will study the results obtained by the NASA's DART impactor 4 years after its mission.[19] [20]
Dimorphos
align=center align=center 2003 Hera align=center 2026 Probe will study the results obtained by the NASA's DART impactor 4 years after its mission.
align=center 0.5 align=center 2001 Hayabusa2# align=center 2026 Near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo group; extended mission target
align=center 0.370 align=center 2004 align=center 2029 Extended mission after sample delivery[21]
align=center 2.3 align=center 1973 align=center 2030 Flyby[22]
align=center 22 align=center 1907 align=center 2030 Flyby
align=center 5.2 align=center 1998 align=center 2031 Flyby
align=center 5.4 align=center 2000 align=center 2032 Flyby
align=center 6.7 align=center 1998 align=center 2032 Flyby
align=center 8.0 align=center 1999 align=center 2033 Flyby
align=center 53.62 align=center 1887 align=center 2034 Orbit and Landing
align=center 0.041 align=center 2016 Tianwen-2 align=center 2025 Co-orbital near-Earth asteroid; sample return target[23]
align=center 0.030 align=center 1998 Hayabusa2# align=center 2031 Near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo group; extended mission target[24]
align=center 0.03 align=center 2015 Unnamed CNSA mission align=center 2029 Near-Earth asteroid of the Aten group, will be visited by an orbiter and impactor for an asteroid deflection test.[25]
align=center 0.48 align=center 2013 Tianwen-2 align=center 2032 Active asteroid
undisclosed align=center ? align=center ? Odin align=center 2025 M-type near-Earth asteroid[26] [27] [28] [29]

(a) given diameters are estimates

Proposals

The following table lists minor planets that are proposed to be visited by spacecraft missions that have not yet been approved.

Namedata-sort-type="number"Diameter
(km)		Year of discoverySpacecraftProposed datesNotes
1086 2002 Interstellar Express Launch: 2024
Flyby: 2030s 		A Voyager-like mission proposed to be launched in 2024 by the CNSA. A pair of probes would flyby Neptune, Quaoar, and one other KBO.[30] [31]
2.6 2001 Launch: 2025
Flyby: 2027 		Brazilian Space Agency mission to triple near-Earth asteroid system of the Amor group[32]
0.370 2004 Launch: 2028
Flyby: 2029 		ESA proposal[33] [34]

Past proposals

Failed missions

Former targets for launched spacecraft.

Namedata-sort-type="number"Diameter
(km)		Date of discoverySpacecraftYearNotes
2P/Enckealign=center 4.8CONTOURalign=center 1998Spacecraft lost while leaving Earth orbit[35]
2P/Enckealign=center 4.8NEARalign=center 1998Target changed before launch
4 Vestaalign=center 525NEARalign=center 1998Target changed before launch
6P/d'Arrestalign=center 3.2CONTOURalign=center 2008Spacecraft lost while leaving Earth orbit
21P/Giacobini–Zinneralign=center 2Suiseialign=center 1998Extended mission, spacecraft ran out of fuel en route.[36]
29 Amphitritealign=center 204Galileoalign=center 1986Target changed due to launch postponement
46P/Wirtanenalign=center 1.2Rosettaalign=center 2011Initial target, was changed due to delay.[37] [38]
73P/Schwassmann–Wachmannalign=center 1.1 (before breakup)CONTOURalign=center 2006Spacecraft lost while leaving Earth orbit
76P/West–Kohoutek–Ikemuraalign=center 0.66Deep Space 1align=center 2000Target changed due to launch postponement[39]
85D/BoethinEPOXI (Deep Impact)align=center 2007Astronomers were unable to locate the comet, which is too faint to be observed.[40]
align=center 103Rosettaalign=center 2007Target changed due to launch postponement[41]
align=center 151Dawnalign=center 2016Abandoned target (not seriously considered)[42]
align=center 82.7JUICEalign=center 2029Secondary target; abandoned to conserve fuel for primary Jupiter orbiter mission.[43] [44]
align=center 35NEARalign=center 1998Target changed before launch
align=center 5.1×1.8Clementinealign=center 1995Mission failed before retargeting
align=center 7.5-9.4NEARalign=center 1998Target changed before launch
align=center 0.6Vega 2align=center 1987Secondary target; insufficient fuel[45]
align=center 12.4[46] Rosettaalign=center 2007Secondary target; changed for better trajectory
align=center 9[47] Rosettaalign=center 2007Target in early mission planning, but not chosen
align=center 2–5Deep Space 1align=center 1998Target changed due to launch postponement
align=center 5.2[48] Rosettaalign=center 2007Target changed
align=center 4NEARalign=center 1998Target changed before launch
align=center 4Deep Space 1align=center 2001Secondary target; abandoned due to instrument failure[49]
align=center ~1NEARalign=center 1997Target changed before launch[50]
align=center ~1Hayabusaalign=center 2002Target changed due to launch postponement
align=center 5.5Rosettaalign=center 2007Target changed due to launch postponement
(5604) 1992 FEalign=center 0.6OSIRIS-RExalign=center 2018Secondary target abandoned in 2010 during early mission planning
(10302) 1989 MLalign=center 0.6Hayabusaalign=center 2002Target changed due to launch postponement
(163249) 2002 GTalign=center 0.35-0.5EPOXI (Deep Impact)align=center 2020Communications with spacecraft lost
align=center 0.66 Hayabusa2 align=center 2023 Target proposed for extended mission but not selected.[51]
align=center ~0.8PROCYONalign=center 2016Ion engine failure in heliocentric orbit[52]
align=center 0.005-0.012NEA Scoutalign=center 2022Target changed due to launch postponement
align=center 0.03Hayabusa2align=center 2029Target proposed but not selected[53]
align=center 0.018align=center 2020NEA Scoutalign=center 2023Communications with spacecraft lost

Cancelled or not developed missions

Namedata-sort-type="number"Diameter
(km)		Date of discoverySpacecraftYearNotes
align=center 939January 1, 1801 align=center [54]
align=center 939January 1, 1801Calathus align=center [55]
align=center 512Athena align=center 2024
4 Vestaalign=center 525AGORAalign=center 1990-1994
4 Vestaalign=center 525MAOSEPalign=center 1990s
4 Vestaalign=center 525Vestaalign=center 1994
22P/Kopffalign=center 3.0CRAFalign=center 2001
align=center 65 1927 Centaurus align=center Launch: 2026
Flyby: 2030s 		not selected[56]
46P/Wirtanenalign=center 1.2Comet Hopperalign=center 2022[57]
99.8 1857 Launch: 2020s
Flyby: 2020s 		A flyby proposal of 14 asteroids, the largest being 50 Virginia.
67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenkoalign=center 4.1×3.3×1.8CAESARalign=center 2024[58]
align=center 4.1×3.3×1.8 align=center 2024 Proposed comet sample-return mission.[59]
align=center 4.4 1981 align=center 2024 Proposed comet sample-return mission.[60]
align=center 1898Clementine 2align=center 1996
align=center 86CRAFalign=center 1998
271 1977 Centaurus Launch: 2026
Flyby: 2030s 		A flyby proposal.
align=center 4Marco Polo/Hayabusa Mk2align=center 2022
align=center 1934Clementine 2align=center 1996
align=center ~1NEAPalign=center 1997
7968 Elst–Pizarro or 133P/Elst–Pizarroalign=center ~0.6Castaliaalign=center 2028[61]
260.35 1997 Camilla Launch: 2026
Flyby: 2039 		A mission concept for a flyby and impactor.[62]
25143 Itokawaalign=center align=center 1998Asteroid Redirect Missionalign=center 2021[63]
align=center 1.04 Janus align=center 2026 Launch delayed, target not available[64]
align=center 0.272New Horizons 2align=center [65]
align=center ~0.69New Horizons 2align=center [66]
(65679) 1989 UQalign=center Marco Poloalign=center 2018-2020
align=center ~0.1New Horizons 2align=center [67]
99942 Apophisalign=center 0.37Don Quijotealign=center 2015[68]
101955 Bennualign=center align=center 1999Asteroid Redirect Missionalign=center 2021
101955 Bennualign=center align=center 1999HAMMERalign=center [69]
align=center 2376Pluto Kuiper Expressalign=center 2004[70]
162173 Ryugualign=center 0.9Marco Poloalign=center 2018-2020
162173 Ryugualign=center 0.9Asteroid Redirect Missionalign=center 2021[71]
align=center Marco Poloalign=center 2018-2020
align=center 1.69 Janus align=center 2026 Launch delayed, target not available
align=center 1.7Marco Poloalign=center 2018-2020
align=center 0.4Marco Poloalign=center 2018-2020
align=center 0.4Asteroid Redirect Missionalign=center 2021
align=center Marco Poloalign=center 2018-2020
align=center 0.086-0.16Don Quijotealign=center 2015
1906 Launch: 2026 Proposed multiple flyby mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids using solar sail propulsion.[72]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chang'e 2 images of Toutatis. Planetary.org.
  2. News: Hayabusa-2: Japan spacecraft touches down on asteroid. Paul. Rincon. BBC News. 22 February 2019. 22 June 2019.
  3. Web site: Yoshimitsu. Tetsuo. Kubota. Takashi. Tsuda. Yuichi. Yoshikawa. Makoto . MINERVA-II1: Successful image capture, landing on Ryugu and hop!. hayabusa2.jaxa.jp. JAXA. 24 September 2018.
  4. News: 6 December 2020. Hayabusa-2: Capsule with asteroid samples in 'perfect' shape. en-GB. BBC News. 9 December 2020.
  5. Web site: NASA'S OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Arrives at Asteroid Bennu. NASA. 3 December 2018. 20 December 2018.
  6. Web site: NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission Breaks Another Orbit Record. NASA. 13 June 2019. 22 June 2019.
  7. Web site: Asteroid Deflection Mission AIDA Set To Crash Two Spacecraft Into Space Rock In 2022. Miriam Kramer. . 26 March 2013. 19 September 2014.
  8. Web site: Asteroids have been hitting the Earth for billions of years. In 2022, we hit back. . Rivkin . Andy . . 27 September 2018 . 31 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133108/http://dart.jhuapl.edu/News-and-Resources/blog.php?id=20180927 . 31 October 2018 . dead .
  9. Web site: NASA's Lucy Team Announces New Asteroid Target . Katherine . Kretke . NASA . 25 January 2023.
  10. Web site: NASA's Lucy Spacecraft Discovers 2nd Asteroid During Dinkinesh Flyby . Goddard Digital Team . NASA . 2 November 2023.
  11. Web site: 2012 PM35 and 2020 OG106 . 16-20 February 2022 . Minor Planet Mailing List (groups.io) . 3 September 2023.
  12. Web site: Deep Space 1 . NASA . Goddard Space Flight Center . NSSDC/COSPAR ID: 1998-061A . 26 August 2014 . 1 July 2015.
  13. Web site: Rosetta spacecraft sees its shadow on a comet (photo) . Space.com . 5 March 2015 . Rosetta flew just 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) from Comet 67P's surface, resulting in a resolution of 4.3 inches (11 centimeters) per pixel [for OSIRIS]..
  14. Web site: 9 February 2014 . last obs (arc=493 days w/619 obs) . C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) . JPL Close-Approach Data . 19 February 2013 .
  15. Grossman . Lisa . 6 December 2013 . Fiercest meteor shower on record to hit Mars via comet . . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212093435/http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24715-fiercest-meteor-shower-on-record-to-hit-mars-via-comet.html . 12 December 2013 . live.
  16. News: A Metal Ball the Size of Massachusetts That NASA Wants to Explore . . Chang . Kenneth . 6 January 2017 . 6 January 2017.
  17. Web site: DESTINY+: Deep Space Exploration Technology Demonstrator and Explorer to Asteroid 3200 Phaethon . Toyota . Hiroyuki . Nishiyama . Kazutaka . Kawakatsu . Yasuhiro . PDF . Low-Cost Planetary Missions Conference . 15 August 2017 . 21 September 2017.
  18. Web site: 29 July 2019 last obs. . JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 52246 Donaldjohanson (1981 EQ5) . Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  19. Web site: Hera . www.esa.int . 2 May 2022 . en.
  20. Michel . Patrick . Küppers . Michael . Bagatin . Adriano Campo . Carry . Benoit . Charnoz . Sébastien . Leon . Julia de . Fitzsimmons . Alan . Gordo . Paulo . Green . Simon F. . Hérique . Alain . Juzi . Martin . Karatekin . Özgür . Kohout . Tomas . Lazzarin . Monica . Murdoch . Naomi . Okada . Tatsuaki . Palomba . Ernesto . Pravec . Petr . Snodgrass . Colin . Tortora . Paolo . Tsiganis . Kleomenis . Ulamec . Stephan . Vincent . Jean-Baptiste . Wünnemann . Kai . Zhang . Yun . Raducan . Sabina D. . Dotto . Elisabetta . Chabot . Nancy . Cheng . Andy F. . Rivkin . Andy . Barnouin . Olivier . Ernst . Carolyn . Stickle . Angela . Richardson . Derek C. . Thomas . Cristina . Arakawa . Masahiko . Miyamoto . Hirdy . Nakamura . Akiko . Sugita . Seiji . Yoshikawa . Makoto . Abell . Paul . Asphaug . Erik . Ballouz . Ronald-Louis . Bottke . William F. . Lauretta . Dante S. . Walsh . Kevin J. . Martino . Paolo . Carnelli . Ian . The ESA Hera Mission: Detailed Characterization of the DART Impact Outcome and of the Binary Asteroid (65803) Didymos . The Planetary Science Journal . 1 July 2022 . 3 . 7 . 160 . 10.3847/psj/ac6f52 . 250599919 . en . 2632-3338. free . 10045/125568 . free .
  21. Web site: NASA gives green light for OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to visit another asteroid . University of Arizona News . 25 April 2022 . en . 25 April 2022.
  22. Web site: Jones . Andrew . 12 May 2023 . UAE's ambitious asteroid mission will tour 7 space rocks . 21 May 2023 . Space.com . en.
  23. News: China is moving ahead with lunar south pole and near-Earth asteroid missions . . Jones . Andrew . 5 August 2020 . 5 August 2020.
  24. News: Hayabusa2's Mission isn't Over. It has a New Asteroid Target to Visit: 1998 KY26 . Evan . Gough . Universe Today . 25 September 2020 . 30 October 2020.
  25. News: Foust. Jeff. China reschedules planetary defense mission for 2027 launch. spacenews.com. 16 July 2024. 23 July 2024.
  26. Web site: Asteroid mining startup to launch mission in early 2024 . mining.com . 19 October 2023 . 1 December 2023.
  27. Web site: AstroForge Conducts Hot Fire Test Ahead of Early 2024 Mission . payloadspace.com . 20 October 2023 . 1 December 2023.
  28. Web site: Astroforge's Brokkr-2 Spacecraft Aims to Commercialize Space Mining . ts2.space . 1 December 2023.
  29. Web site: This Asteroid Mining Startup Is Ready To Launch The First-Ever Commercial Deep Space Mission . forbes.com . 1 December 2023.
  30. 10.1360/N112018-00273. Exploring the solar system boundary. 2019. Wu. Weiren. Yu. Dengyun. Huang. Jiangchuan. Zong. Qiugang. Wang. Chi. Yu. Guobin. He. Rongwei. Wang. Qian. Kang. Yan. Meng. Linzhi. Wu. Ke. He. Jiansen. Li. Hui. Scientia Sinica Informationis. 49. 1. 86476811. free.
  31. Web site: China to launch a pair of spacecraft towards the edge of the solar system. 16 April 2021.
  32. de Brum. Antonio G. V.. Hussmann. Hauke. Wickhusen. Kai. Stark. Alexander. 2021-01-01. Encounter trajectories for deep space mission ASTER to the triple near Earth asteroid 2001-SN263. The laser altimeter (ALR) point of view. Advances in Space Research. 67. 1. 648–661. 10.1016/j.asr.2020.10.042. 2021AdSpR..67..648D. 0273-1177.
  33. Web site: Introducing Ramses, ESA's mission to asteroid Apophis . www.esa.int . 24 August 2024 . en.
  34. Web site: Bartels . Meghan . Europe Announces New Mission to Infamous Asteroid Apophis . Scientific American . 24 August 2024 . en.
  35. http://discovery.nasa.gov/lib/presentations/pdf/mishap_board_report_503.pdf "CONTOUR - Mishap Investigation Board Report (PDF)
  36. Web site: Solar System Exploration - Suisei. https://web.archive.org/web/20040820184048/http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?Sort=Target&Target=Comets&MCode=Suisei&Display=ReadMore. dead. 20 August 2004. NASA. 23 April 2013.
  37. Web site: HubbleSite - NewsCenter - Hubble Assists Rosetta Comet Mission (09/05/2003) - Release Text . HubbleSite . 25 April 2022 . 15 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115222016/http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2003/26/text/ . 15 November 2014 .
  38. Web site: ESA Science & Technology - Rosetta goes to Comet Wirtanen. sci.esa.int.
  39. Web site: Comet Space Missions . SEDS.org . 11 September 2023.
  40. Web site: NASA - EPOXI Mission - Mission . epoxi.astro.umd.edu . 25 April 2022.
  41. Luigi Colangeli, Elena Mazzotta Epifani, Pasquale Palumbo, The New Rosetta Targets: Observations, Simulations and Instrument Performances, pp. 71-72, Springer Verlag, 2013.
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