NEAR spent most of the cruise phase in a minimal activity "hibernation" state, which ended a few days before the flyby of the 61 km diameter asteroid 253 Mathilde.
Northwest Airlines Flight 253 | Mathilde Marchesi | 253 series | Mathilde Monnier | Mathilde Franziska Anneke | Mathilde | Duchess Mathilde Ludovika in Bavaria | Vermont Route 253 | Mathilde Santing | Mathilde Ludendorff | Mathilde Kschessinska | 253 Mathilde |