ESA selects targets for asteroid-deflecting mission Don Quijote

Based on the recommendations of asteroid experts, ESA has selected two target
asteroids for its Near-Earth Object deflecting mission, Don Quijote.

Don Quijote is an asteroid-deflecting mission currently under study by ESA’s
Advanced Concepts Team (ACT). Earlier this year the NEO Mission Advisory Panel
(NEOMAP), consisting of well-known experts in the field, delivered to ESA a
target selection report for Europe’s future asteroid mitigation missions,
identifying the relevant criteria for selecting a target and picking up two
objects that meet most of those criteria. The asteroids’ temporary designations
are 2002 AT4 and 1989 ML.

Links:

NEO Space Mission Preparation:
http://www.esa.int/gsp/NEO

Advanced Concepts Team:
http://www.esa.int/ACT

CDF NEO Study:
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/CDF/SEMOC4D3M5E_0.html