NASA’s NEOWISE Asteroid Hunter ends mission after 15 years in space

NASA’s asteroid hunting spacecraft, NEOWISE, has officially ended its journey, meeting its end when it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and burned up on November 1. Over its 15-year lifespan, NEOWISE cataloged nearly 3,000 near-Earth objects, including numerous asteroids, providing crucial data for researchers studying potential planetary threats. The space agency confirmed NEOWISE’s return the next day on social media, marking the end of a mission that significantly advanced NASA’s understanding of near-Earth space.

A two-phase mission evolution

NASA has confirmed that NEOWISE entered Earth’s atmosphere after spending 15 years in space. The spacecraft was initially launched as WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) to observe the universe in infrared light. During the first phase, WISE captured some of the universe’s brightest galaxies, hidden black holes and coolest stars. However, in 2011, the spacecraft’s coolant reserves were depleted, sending it into hibernation. In 2013, NASA reactivated WISE and renamed NEOWISE to focus on tracking near-Earth objects – a crucial step toward planetary defense.

Amy Mainzer, who led the NEOWISE project at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), noted that its ability to detect asteroids was initially unexpected, and said in 2019 that it proved to be exceptionally effective at identifying objects near Earth. NEOWISE ultimately collected vast amounts of data, which Joseph Hunt, the last project manager at JPL, stated would benefit the scientific community for years to come.

Atmospheric obstruction and the end of NEOWISE

The spacecraft’s demise was largely due to solar maximum, the peak of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, which led to increased solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These solar events heated and expanded Earth’s atmosphere, creating drag that gradually pulled NEOWISE closer to Earth. Without propulsion capabilities, the spacecraft was unable to increase its orbit, ultimately leading to its reentry into the atmosphere.

Next steps in near-Earth object detection

Although NEOWISE is now inoperative, NASA’s asteroid detection efforts remain active. The NEO Surveyor, a follow-on mission specifically designed to identify near-Earth objects in infrared light, is scheduled for launch in late 2027. The NEO Surveyor is expected to strengthen planetary defense strategies and will be NASA’s first telescope committed to this critical task, continuing NEOWISE’s legacy of protecting Earth from potential space threats.