Asteroid Research
Asteroid research involves the study of small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, primarily found in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists aim to understand their composition, structure, and potential impact on Earth. This research helps in assessing the risks posed by near-Earth asteroids and exploring their resources for future space missions.
Additionally, asteroid research contributes to our knowledge of the early solar system. By analyzing asteroids, researchers can gather insights into the formation of planets and the history of celestial bodies. Missions like NASA's OSIRIS-REx and JAXA's Hayabusa2 have successfully collected samples, providing valuable data for ongoing studies.