2003 SM84
Encyclopedia
2003 SM84 is an as yet unnamed and unnumbered near-Earth asteroid discovered in 2003. Its size and physical properties are uncertain. Its designated as an Amor asteroid
because it orbits between Earth
and Mars
.
2003 SM84 is being considered by the European Space Agency
as a candidate target for the Don Quijote
mission to study the effects of impacting a spacecraft into an asteroid.
Amor asteroid
The Amor asteroids are a group of near-Earth asteroids named after the asteroid 1221 Amor. They approach the orbit of the Earth from beyond, but do not cross it. Most Amors do cross the orbit of Mars...
because it orbits between Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
and Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
.
2003 SM84 is being considered by the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
as a candidate target for the Don Quijote
Don Quijote (space probe)
Don Quijote is a proposed space probe under development by the European Space Agency, which would study the effects of crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid. The mission is intended to test whether a spacecraft could successfully deflect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth...
mission to study the effects of impacting a spacecraft into an asteroid.