Results for: Planetary Defense

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has expressed India’s interest in participating in global initiatives to study and defend against asteroids. He highlighted the need for international cooperation and emphasized India’s capabilities in space exploration, including recent achievements like the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions. India is looking to contribute to upcoming missions like the study of the asteroid Apophis in 2029, potentially providing instruments or support to joint missions led by NASA, ESA, and JAXA.

NASA, along with FEMA and the Department of State Office of Space Affairs, conducted a large-scale simulation to test their response to a potential asteroid impact. The exercise focused on an asteroid with a 72% chance of hitting Earth within 14 years. While no known asteroids currently pose a threat, the exercise highlighted the importance of being prepared for such a scenario. NASA emphasizes that early detection is key, as it allows for more time to develop and implement mitigation strategies.

Mars is more likely to experience close encounters with potentially dangerous asteroids than Earth, according to a recent study. Researchers have identified approximately 52 large asteroids that pass near Mars annually, which is about 2.6 times more than the number approaching Earth. These asteroids, known as ‘CAPHAs’ (close approach potentially hazardous asteroids), could pose a significant threat to future exploratory missions and human settlements on the Red Planet.