| Global Scientific Asteroid Detection and Monitoring Capability
2007 Planetary Defense Conference
"Deflection of a threatening object is in the conceptual phase."(USAF)
"The Aerospace Corporation's FFRDC is sponsored by the United States Air Force, and provides objective technical analyses and assessments for space programs that serve the national interest. As the FFRDC for national-security space, Aerospace supports long-term planning and the immediate needs of our nation's military and reconnaissance space programs."
"Federally funded research and development centers, or FFRDCs, are unique independent nonprofit entities sponsored and funded by the U.S. government to meet specific long-term technical needs that cannot be met by any other single organization. FFRDCs typically assist government agencies with scientific research and analysis, systems development, and systems acquisition. They bring together the expertise and outlook of government, industry, and academia to solve complex technical problems."
Co-sponsors:
The Aerospace Corporation
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
The Applied Physics Laboratory
Ball Aerospace
European Space Agency, ESA
General Dynamics
Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA
Orbital Sciences Corporation
The Planetary Society
Space Studies Institute
SpaceWorks Engineering
|
Source
Held the 2007 Planetary Defense Conference to discuss the threat of Asteroids.
Visual Summary
"2. Findings and Recommendations
While significant scientific and technological advances have been made since the 2004
conference and are ongoing, it is clear that providing effective planetary defense from
Near Earth Objects and planning for mitigation of an impact disaster are in their infancy.
Specifically, the primary findings of the conference are that:
1. While our search and discovery efforts have successfully found most of the large,
“civilization-killer” 1-km and larger objects, we are just beginning to find the
much more prevalent and, for that reason, more frequently dangerous objects in
the 140- to 300-meter size range. An impact by an object in this size range could
occur with little or no warning and could cause serious loss of life and property
over a broad area.
2. Earth-based resources such as the Arecibo radar are critical for refining a PHO’s
orbit and providing basic information required for deflection. Arecibo has an
essential role in refining the threat posed by PHOs such as Apophis.
3. Deflection of a threatening object is in the conceptual phase. We are just
beginning to identify the options available to deflect an object and have yet to
design or test techniques that might be used. Further, we have yet to design
complete missions to deliver one or more deflection devices, and have not
considered what is required to assure a high probability of success for an overall
deflection campaign.
4. There are serious technical, political, policy, legal and societal issues involved in
deciding whether and how to respond to a threat of a NEO impact. NEO impacts
have the potential to cause disasters that would equal or exceed anything ever
faced by recent civilizations. Moreover, this type of threat has never been
seriously considered by any agencies that would have responsibility for
responding. In addition, it is uncertain where responsibility for coordination of all
aspects of the NEO threat lies, from detection to deflection to impact aftermath.
5. Understanding, analyzing, and dealing with a potential NEO threat is an
international problem demanding international cooperation. Considerable work is
required to develop a foundation for international cooperation and action in all
areas related to planetary defense. This foundation may extend beyond defense
and include benefits from international manned and unmanned space exploration."
Source
|
| |
