Threat Intelligence
What is the current state of our knowledge regarding potentially hazardous asteroid impacts on Earth?
According to asteroid detection specialists and NASA researchers, we have reached a level of scientific certainty that asteroid impacts will occur in the future - it's not a matter of "if" but "when." The astronomical and planetary defense communities have developed sophisticated tracking systems and collaborative networks to monitor these celestial threats. While we cannot predict the exact timing of significant impacts, our technological capabilities continue advancing, allowing us to detect and potentially mitigate these cosmic dangers through international cooperation and innovative space programs.
Watch clip answer (00:08m)
NASA
01:49 - 01:57
What is the current state of asteroid detection and the potential threat to Earth from undiscovered space objects?
Despite significant advances in asteroid detection, we currently do not have a complete inventory of all possible impactors that could threaten Earth. While over 95% of larger asteroids are being tracked by the global astronomical community, many smaller asteroids remain undiscovered. This gap in our knowledge poses a real risk, as there is almost certainly a decent-sized asteroid out there that could pose an impact threat to our planet. The ongoing collaborative efforts focus on identifying these space rocks and calculating their orbits to improve our planetary defense capabilities before a potentially catastrophic impact occurs.
Watch clip answer (00:11m)NASA
00:55 - 01:06