Imagine a celestial tribute to those who safeguard our planet from the silent threats lurking in the vastness of space. In a move that blends science, honor, and a touch of cosmic poetry, 10 asteroids have been named to celebrate the European Space Agency’s (ESA) pivotal role in planetary defense. But here’s where it gets fascinating: these aren’t just random space rocks—each one is named after individuals, places, and even a mission control center that have been instrumental in protecting Earth from asteroids and comets. And this is the part most people miss: one of these asteroids, now officially known as (810657) ESOC, is named after ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany—a hub that’s been steering Europe’s most ambitious space missions for nearly six decades.
Discovered in March 2021 by astronomer Erwin Schwab and ESA’s former Head of Planetary Defence, Detlef Koschny, this asteroid is no small player. With a size estimated between 600 and 1,300 meters, it’s at least twice as large as the ESOC campus it’s named after. Orbiting the Sun beyond Mars, it’s a reminder of the vastness of our cosmic neighborhood and the importance of monitoring such objects. Schwab and Koschny were honored guests at ESOC during ESA Director of Operations Rolf Densing’s New Year’s address on January 13, where the naming of these asteroids was celebrated.
But here’s the controversial part: while these names honor remarkable contributions, the process of naming asteroids is far from simple. Managed by the International Astronomical Union’s Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature, it involves provisional designations, permanent numbers, and strict guidelines. For instance, names must be pronounceable, non-offensive, and no longer than 16 characters. Pets, commercial products, and recent political figures? Generally off-limits. Yet, some asteroid families, like Jupiter’s Trojans, follow specific naming traditions tied to mythology or historical events. This raises the question: should asteroid naming be more inclusive, or is it right to maintain these traditions?
Among the other honorees are Laura Faggioli, Dario Oliviero, Francisco Ocaña, and Pablo Ramírez Moreta, whose work in asteroid orbit determination, risk assessment, and operational data provision has been invaluable. Even the city of Frascati, Italy, home to ESA’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre, gets its celestial namesake. And this is where it gets even more intriguing: Michael Khan, Andrea Accomazzo, Juan Luis Cano, and Richard Moissl—all key figures in ESA’s planetary defense missions like Hera and Ramses—now have asteroids bearing their names. Adding to the list is comet P/2025 W3 (Kresken), named after its discoverer, ESA astronomer Rainer Kresken.
So, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: As we name more celestial bodies after humans, are we truly honoring their achievements, or are we subtly claiming ownership of the cosmos? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. After all, the stars—and asteroids—are listening.
