Representatives from NASA and ESA will coordinate their programs to detect and deflect asteroids and comets that threaten the planet. Asteroids and comets are the most direct threats of space for life on Earth. Others space disasters as novae and black holes can be lethal, but current data allow us to know that the chances of destroying the planet in the near future are minimal. Asteroids, on the other hand, have left their tracks in the history of the earth, and do it again.
Space technology has advanced to the point where the ability to detect and deflect an asteroid has become a scientific challenge and not the figment of a science fiction writer. Several public and private support these projects become more real every year.
NASA and the ESA against asteroids:
The last meeting was held on the subject in late October at the Operations Center ESA in Darmstadt, Germany. There were important steps to creating a permanent group to coordinate missions to prevent the danger of asteroids. Meetings of this type are made from 2001 through the action of the committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space United Nations.
In the workshop discussions, the experts exchanged views on the direction to be followed by research on asteroids, ie, what information is needed to plan a mission to an asteroid or comet. Also discussed was the way in which space agencies should be testing new technologies deviation.
Near Earth Objects:
Much of the challenge is to identify early Near Earth Objects or NEOs. These near-Earth objects should be monitored regularly to calculate their orbits and probabilities of a collision. NEOs are monitored by various space agencies, so a fast and direct exchange of information is becoming a basic necessity for the success of a program to detect and deviation.
How to find and deflect an asteroid:
Current technology would not deflect an asteroid within less than ten years. Therefore it is very important to identify as many NEOs. The program Spaceguard NASA’s is one of the most advanced in this regard. Spaceguard also has a Spanish version, based on the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca.
The best way to deflect an NEO would be a combination of two systems: a direct impact and a constant push. The direct impact, through some form of explosive is that the stronger, but is less predictable in outcome. The advantage of this system is that it can be implemented more quickly, less risky and distance of the asteroid.
The mission requires a steady push to land in order to work on its surface, so its complexity is higher. The advantage of this method is that if the mission is successful, the diversion can be done with absolute precision.
Asteroids and comets that threaten Earth:
The issue of NEOs raises many doubts and fears. The responsiveness of humanity is still limited, but growing rapidly. A century ago, which at times is a measure space of time almost negligible, the planet was totally helpless before these events. With knowledge of the near-Earth objects on the rise, here are some details to be taken into account:
– The atmosphere protects us from most of the comets and Asteroids less than 40 meters in diameter.
– NEOs up to one kilometer in diameter cause local damage. The search space programs that approximate measure taken as a parameter to focus on larger objects, capable of unleashing global catastrophes.
– It is estimated that there is a million asteroids between 40 meters and the mile in diameter and about 1,100 that pass this measure.
– Officially there is currently no confirmed record of NEO impact with the Earth. Asteroid Apophis will close in 2029. Some previous estimates were 2.7% chance of impact, but these have been reduced to 0.00043%.
The prediction of an impact depends directly on the discovery of as many NEOs. The strangers are the most dangerous because it does not give any reaction time. Already placed objects pose no immediate risk, and if anyone goes near the earth will be monitored more closely and accurately, so that any danger is foreseen many years ago.
