On 6-8 October 2025, DG DEFIS and ESA held this year’s edition of their annual workshop on Near-Earth Objects (NEO). This year’s three-day workshop, attended by over 100 participants, explored ways to improve the quality and reliability of astrometric and radar observations of NEOs, i.e. space rocks approaching the Earth or entering the atmosphere of the Earth.
Over the course of six sessions, participants learned about orbit determination and uncertainty propagation, astrometric observations and timing precision, radar observations and integration in astrometric pipelines, synthetic tracking and AI-based techniques, non-traditional astrometry such as occultations, Gaia, and space-based assets, as well as prospects for future radar facilities.
Participants then formulated suggestions, guidelines, and actions for improving the robustness of observational data used for NEOs to make sure that high-quality astrometric and radar data for timely and accurate impact risk assessments are available in the future.
Background
NEO is a subcomponent of the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) component of the EU Space Programme. It aims at coordinating and improving European capabilities and activities related to the monitoring of space rocks whose orbits approach or cross the Earth's orbit.
To this end, the EU supports activities that map Member States' capabilities to detect and monitor NEOs, promote networking among Member States' facilities and research centres through a yearly conference, develop a European catalogue of physical properties of NEOs, and develop a routine rapid response service that can characterize newly detected NEOs.
This workshop is an ESA deliverable as part of its Contribution Agreement with DG DEFIS in the implementation of the NEO subcomponent of the EU Space Programme.
More information
Details
- Publication date
- 8 October 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space
- Department
- Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space