Proposal to study a space mission to near earth astreroids

We propose to study the feasibility of a rendez-vouz mission toward one or few Near Earth Asteroids. The main scientific aim of the mission will be the detailed characterization of the geological and physical properties of the object(s) during their journey from the outer to the inner Solar System and back, under the varying influence of the solar heath and radiation field. The detailed knowledge thus achieved will be of paramount importance for a series of scientific goals, from the better understanding of origin of such a heterogeneous population to the definition of countermeasure to mitigate the impact of such a body with the Earth or with a lunar basis. We have already identified a list of suitable NEAs, and one result of the proposed study will be the selection of a small number of them offering the best conditions for such a mission (evaluating a number of variables that range from the dynamical point of view to the taxonomic class). Other results will be the definition of a set of scientific instruments and of a mission scenario.