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The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission is the first launch in the Discovery Program, a NASA initiative for small planetary missions. Following the launch aboard a 7925 Delta II, and nearly three years of semi-dormant cruise mode, the NEAR spacecraft will rendezvous with and orbit the near-Earth asteroid 433 Eros. While orbiting 433 Eros, NEAR will conduct the first systematic scientific exploration of an asteroid by measuring its bulk, surface, and internal properties. In order to accomplish this task, the NEAR spacecraft contains a suite of sensors comprised of an Infrared (IR) Spectrometer, a Multispectral Imager/Spectrometer, an X-Ray/Gamma-Ray Spectrometer, a Magnetometer, and a Laser Rangefinder. The structure supporting these sensors is part of a 3-axis stabilized, solar-oriented spacecraft that employs fixed coplanar solar arrays to provide a constant voltage, regulated power bus.