For now researchers and asteroid enthusiasts wait with anticipation as NEAR Shoemaker continues its first-ever and often surprising survey 433 Eros, knowing that the best answers and most perplexing mysteries may be yet to come. NASA's Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Mission is nearing 433 Eros. It is scheduled to go into orbit around the space rock on Valentines Day, 2000. Critical science observations of Eros are scheduled to begin 11 hours before NEAR's orbit insertion on Valentines Day, 2000. First Orbit Around an Asteroid - February 14, 2000.
Scientists review exciting results from the first few days in orbit.
NEARer to Eros - February 25, 2000. NEAR moves closer to Eros.