NASA has raised concern over hypothetical scenario where a potentially hazardous asteroid could strike Earth with a 72% probability on July 12, 2038.
In the recent assessment, NASA conducted the fifth biennial Planetary Defense Interagency Tabletop Exercise, held at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel Maryland, and nearly 100 representatives from various US government agencies and international partners were involved in the planetary defence.
It aimed to provide valuable insights into preparedness strategies and foster collaboration across borders in mitigating potential asteroid threats.
Lindley Johnson, planetary defense officer emeritus at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said “the exercise’s initial conditions presented participants with challenging uncertainties.”
He emphasised that “predicting and preventing a large asteroid impact potentially represents humanity’s unique ability among natural disasters, thanks to advanced technology that allows for years of preparation.”
The exercise also marked a significant milestone with the use of data from NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, marking a pivotal step in planetary defense. DART, known for its successful demonstration of redirecting an asteroid’s trajectory using kinetic impactors, highlights technological advancements in safeguarding Earth from potential impacts.
In response to the need for early detection, NASA is progressing with NEO Surveyor, an infrared space telescope slated for launch in June 2028.
