Defending Planet Earth: Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies

Committee to Review Near-Earth-Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies,Space Studies Board,Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,National Research Council

ISBN 10: 0309149681 / ISBN 13: 9780309149686

Editore: National Academies Press, 2010

Codice articolo mon0000002298

Riassunto:

The United States spends approximately $4 million each year searching for near-Earth objects (NEOs). The objective is to detect those that may collide with Earth. The majority of this funding supports the operation of several observatories that scan the sky searching for NEOs. This, however, is insufficient in detecting the majority of NEOs that may present a tangible threat to humanity. A significantly smaller amount of funding supports ways to protect the Earth from such a potential collision or "mitigation."

In 2005, a Congressional mandate called for NASA to detect 90 percent of NEOs with diameters of 140 meters of greater by 2020. Defending Planet Earth: Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies identifies the need for detection of objects as small as 30 to 50 meters as these can be highly destructive. The book explores four main types of mitigation including civil defense, "slow push" or "pull" methods, kinetic impactors and nuclear explosions. It also asserts that responding effectively to hazards posed by NEOs requires national and international cooperation. Defending Planet Earth: Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies is a useful guide for scientists, astronomers, policy makers and engineers.

Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Summary
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Risk Analysis
• 3 Survey and Detection of Near-Earth Objects
• 4 Characterization
• 5 Mitigation
• 6 Research
• 7 National and International Coordination and Collaboration
• 8 Optimal Approaches
• Appendixes
• Appendix A: Independent Cost Assessment
• Appendix B: Letter of Request
• Appendix C: Committee, Panel, and Staff Biographical Information
• Appendix D: Minority Opinion - Mark Boslough, Mitigation Panel Member
• Appendix E: Glossary and Selected Acronyms

Product Description: Book by Committee to Review NearEarth Object Surveys and H

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Titolo: Defending Planet Earth: Near-Earth Object ...
Casa editrice: National Academies Press
Data di pubblicazione: 2010
Legatura: Paperback
Condizione: New