NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Exploration of Near Earth Objects (NEO) Objectives Workshop [Explore NOW]
August 10-11, 2010
Washington, DC

NASA hosted an interactive, two-day workshop to identify objectives for exploration missions to Near Earth Objects (NEOs). The meeting was conducted August 10-11 at The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Explore NOW brought together experts and key leaders within NASA, industry, academia, other government agencies, and international communities.

The primary goals for the workshop were: to increase the collective understanding of NEOs, communicate NASA's plans for a human mission to a NEO, and capture external input on proposed mission objectives.

+ Download the Explore NOW summary report, released on Sept. 20, 2010 (PDF)

+ View a list of materials made available prior to the workshop for reference.

Download briefings presented at the workshop:

Part 1

Opening Remarks: Setting the Stage (D. Cooke)

› Why go to a NEO? (PDF) (T. Jones)
› Opportunities for NEO Exploration (PDF) (L. Johnson)
› Considerations for Planetary Defense (PDF) (B. Ailor)
› Update on Exploration Study Teams (PDF) (M. Hecker)
› Exploration Precursor Robotic Missions (xPRM) Study Team Update (PDF) (J. Jenkins)

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Part 2

› Innovative Concepts for NEO Exploration (PDF) (B. Wilcox)
› Using the Moon to Facilitate Exploration of NEOs (PDF) (C. Neal)
› International Framework for Human Space Exploration (PDF) (K. Laurini)
› Hayabusa Mission Update (PDF) (H. Kuninaka)

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Part 3

Panel Session: Lessons Learned for NEO Missions (P. Abell - Facilitator)
› Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (PDF) (A. Cheng)
› Deep Impact (PDF) (L. Johnson)
› Hayabusa (PDF) (H. Kuninaka)
› Don Quijote/Marco Polo/Rosetta (PDF) (M. Coradini)
Panel Session Q & A

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Part 4

Panel Session: Objectives of Human Mission to NEO (L. Leshin - Introduction)
› Administration Policy/Technology Perspective (D. Wells)
› Planetary Defense Perspective (PDF) (P. Garretson)
› Science Perspective (PDF) (F. Vilas)
Panel Session Q & A

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Part 5

Breakout Sessions:
Input on Objectives of Human Mission to NEO
› Breakout Group 1 Outbrief (PDF) (D. Craig)
› Breakout Group 2 Outbrief (PDF) (L. Johnson)

Remarks by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden

› Breakout Group 3 Outbrief (PDF) (G. Allen)
› Breakout Group 4 Outbrief (PDF) (B. Wilson)
› Breakout Group 5 Outbrief (PDF) (C. Culbert)
› Breakout Group 6 Outbrief (PDF) (J. Jenkins)
› Breakout Group 7 Outbrief (PDF) (S. Magnus)

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Part 6

› Recap of Day 1 and Looking Ahead (PDF) (M. Broadwell)
› Public Participation in the Exploration of NEOs (PDF) (B. Betts)

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Part 7

Breakout Sessions:
In the context of the objectives for a human mission to a NEO, address the following:
What do we need to know before we can send a human to a NEO (i.e. characterization, knowledge gaps, and precursor investigations)?
› Outbrief 1 (PDF) (J. Jenkins); › › Outbrief 2 (PDF) (S. Magnus)

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Part 8

Breakout Sessions:
In the context of the objectives for a human mission to a NEO, address the following:
What technologies and/or capabilities are needed for a human mission to a NEO?
› Outbrief (PDF) (B. Wilson)
What are the concepts of operations for a human mission to a NEO?
› Outbrief (PDF) (D. Craig)
For purposes of planetary defense, what do we need to know about NEOs and what capabilities are needed?
› Outbrief (PDF) (L. Johnson)

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Part 9

Breakout Sessions:
In the context of the objectives for a human mission to a NEO, address the following:
What are the synergies with a human mission to the moon and Mars?
› Outbrief (PDF) (C. Culbert)
What policy considerations must be addressed? What are possible ways to engage the public?
› Outbrief (PDF) (G. Allen)

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Part 10

Concluding Remarks (J. Olson, L. Leshin, D. Cooke)
› Summary of Explore NOW (PDF) (L. Leshin)

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