TL;DR: Eros was the first near-Earth asteroid orbited and landed upon. NEAR Shoemaker provided detailed surface maps and composition data. At 16.8 km, it's one of the largest accessible near-Earth asteroids.
Eros was the first near-Earth asteroid orbited and landed upon. NEAR Shoemaker provided detailed surface maps and composition data. At 16.8 km, it's one of the largest accessible near-Earth asteroids.
Composition
Silicate (olivine, pyroxene); metal inclusions; regolith-covered surface
Orbit
1.13-1.78 AU (near-Earth, Amor class), period 1.76 years
Mining Potential
Medium - large near-Earth S-type; well-characterized by NEAR Shoemaker
Mission
NEAR Shoemaker (orbited 2000-2001, landed)