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NEOWISE spacecraft retires after 10 years of service
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Discovered over 3,000 near-Earth objects, including asteroids and comets
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Data collected will aid scientists and inform future space hazard missions
NASA’s NEOWISE spacecraft has officially retired after a decade of dedicated service. Launched in 2009, NEOWISE was initially designed to map the sky in infrared, but it took on a new role in 2011, searching for asteroids and comets that could potentially threaten Earth.
During its time in operation, NEOWISE made numerous significant discoveries, including over 3,000 near-Earth objects and 25 new comets. Its findings will continue to be valuable resources for scientists in the years to come.
Although NEOWISE’s mission has come to an end, its legacy will live on through its successor, NEO Surveyor, set to launch in 2027. NEO Surveyor will continue the crucial work of protecting Earth from space hazards, building on the foundation laid by NEOWISE.
