# # Program information file # PROGRAM_ID 2022B986 PROGRAM_TITLE Small Near-Earth Objects PROGRAM_INV1 Heather Kaluna PROGRAM_INV2 PROGRAM_INV3 PROGRAM_INV4 PROGRAM_INV5 PROGRAM_SCICAT near-Earth objects PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_BEG Physical characterization of near-Earth objects (NEO) has lagged search efforts with few dedicated studies for constraining NEO rotation rates and surface mineralogy. Currently, accurate rotation periods, composition, albedo, and diameter measurements are not available for most of the ~29,225 known NEOs. Characterizing NEOs will address impact hazard issues in modeling airburst and impact ejecta, and provide evidence to answer key science questions about their origin in the main belt and potential for mining (e.g. the probability that small NEOs contain water). The goal of the proposed research is to survey small NEOs (less than 150 meters in diameter) to constrain their surface composition for planetary defense and assess their asteroid mining potential. PROGRAM_ABSTRACT_END