NASA's NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) Shoemaker spacecraft landed on the surface of the 21-mile long asteroid Eros on February 12, 2001. NEAR was the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid, and thrilled scientists, sending back "bonus data" for more than two weeks after the landing.
NASA’s NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) Shoemaker spacecraft landed on the surface of the 21-mile long asteroid Eros on February 12, 2001. NEAR was the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid, and thrilled scientists, sending back “bonus data” for more than two weeks after the landing.
This image mosaic, taken earlier in the mission, shows Eros’ southern hemisphere, offering a long-distance look at the cratered terrain where the spacecraft touched down. In this view, south is to the top and the landing site itself is just into the shadows, slightly left of center.Image Credit: NASA