Near Earth Objects (NEO)

The start of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 of the European Union means at the same time the start of the new 'Space Programme of the European Union', also termed 'EU Space Programme'. It is composed of different elements, one of which is the 'Space Situational Awareness' (SSA) element. 'SSA' is a world-wide known concept that covers the monitoring, understanding and possibly predicting of those aspects of the space environment that pose a potential threat to space and ground assets, and to humans.

One of the threats that is dealt with within a dedicated component of the SSA Programme is the possible collision of asteroids with Earth. Asteroids whose orbit brings them close to the Earth are called Near Earth Objects (NEO).

Within the following 7 years, this EU SSA/NEO Programme will undertake the following activities in close cooperation with ESA where already a significant know-how and experience in this field has been built up (see the ESA S2P/NEO Programme component): 

• Mapping of Member States' capacities for detecting and monitoring NEOs.
• Developing a service for the promotion of networking of Member States' facilities and research centres.
• Preparing coordination activities between the European Commission and national civil protection agencies that will be activated in the event a NEO is found to be approaching Earth.
• Development of a routine rapid response service able to characterise newly discovered NEOs.
• Creation of a European catalogue of NEO's.

Depending on the results of the first 7 years, the EU Programme may in the following period extend its scope towards more activities and services. 

BELSPO provides inputs to this Programme through its representation in the relevant EU Programme Committee and Expert Group. Since Belgium has few capabilities in the field of NEO's, BELSPO does not foresee to play an important role in the EU SSA/NEO Programme.