NEOROCKS: An innovative and pragmatic approach to planetary defense

The present Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) discovery rate - almost 3000 objects per year - is the result of an ever increasing efficiency of the astronomical surveys devoted to planetary defense. NEOs are minor bodies of the Solar System with trajectories approaching the orbit of the Earth thus representing a possible impact threat. As a consequence, knowledge of their physical properties (e.g. size, composition, internal structure) is essential for timely evaluating the actual danger posed to citizens and ground infrastructures, and for developing suitable mitigation strategies. "NEOROCKS - The NEO Rapid Observation, Characterization and Key Simulations project" is an EU-funded project, started in January 2020, to address the topic c) "Improvement of our knowledge of the physical characteristics of the NEO population" of the call SU-SPACE-23-SEC-2019 from the Horizon 2020 - Work Programme 2018-2020 Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies - Space. NEOROCKS aim is to improve our knowledge on the physical characterization of the Near Earth Object (NEO) population, for planetary defense. The project connects expertise in performing observations of small Solar System bodies and the related modeling needed to derive their dynamical and physical properties, to the pragmatic planetary defense approach, which is in charge of providing operational loops and information systems to protect citizens and ground infrastructures from cosmic threats. The challenge for physical characterization is to keep up with the increasing trend of NEO discoveries dominated by small-size objects, yet capable of producing damage in case of impact. Among them are the so-called "imminent impactors" characterized by short warning times of the order of a few weeks down to a few hours before impact. NEOROCKS proposes an innovative approach, focused on: a) expert astronomers with access to worldwide telescopes; b) investigating the relationship between orbit determination of newly discovered objects and quick execution of follow-up observations, to face imminent impactors threats; c) profiting from European industrial expertise on Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to plan and execute breakthrough experiments for rapid response; d) extremely high standards in data dissemination. NEOROCKS optimizes observational activities, enhances modeling and simulation tasks, fosters international cooperation and tests response times to a possible impact threat. It ensures the widespread availability of data and results, and engages the public through education and outreach activities. The NEOROCKS team links up top scientists with extensive NEO observation and physical characterization expertise, governmental institutions providing access to large observational facilities and data management systems, industrial partners participating in SSA programs and expertise in outreach and management. A robust and extensive data management and dissemination plan is also intended to provide the proper framework to promote international cooperation on planetary defense. Acknowledgement: This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870403 (project NEOROCKS).