By Rajni Pandey | June 23, 2024
NASA warned that if an asteroid has a 72% chance of striking Earth in 14 years, we may not be adequately prepared for it.
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Conducted at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the exercise involved over 100 representatives from various agencies, exposing significant preparedness gaps.
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Although no immediate asteroid threats are known, the scenario tested Earth's readiness for a major impact, underscoring the potential disaster.
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The exercise presented extreme uncertainties, forcing participants to consider the severe consequences and challenging conditions of an imminent asteroid strike.
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The simulation evaluated national and international responses, highlighting critical deficiencies in disaster management and communication strategies.
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Revealing technological shortcomings, the exercise showed limited readiness to launch essential space missions and challenges in coordinating a global response.
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Data from NASA's DART mission, which successfully demonstrated asteroid deflection, showcased potential strategies for altering an asteroid's deadly trajectory.
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NASA is developing the NEO Surveyor, an infrared space telescope launching in June 2028, to detect hazardous near-Earth objects years before they pose a threat.
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The exercise highlighted the urgent need for well-defined asteroid-impact disaster management plans and improved decision-making processes to mitigate the threat.
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Emphasizing the necessity of international cooperation, the simulation stressed the importance of timely space mission implementations to ensure Earth's safety from potential asteroid impacts.
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