The National Academy of Science released information this week that the call for vigilance in the study, detection and possible destruction of potentially damaging asteroids has been unanswered due to the center's lack of federal funding for the project.
Congress Assigned NASA the Mission In 2005
The task assigned by Congress demanded that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to spot any potential space debris that could potentially come into contact with Earth. The study also called for NASA to complete a full-scale survey to locate 90 percent of all possible colliding objects by the year 2020.
NASA estimates that there are around 20,000 different asteroids and comets which have the potential of striking the earth at any given time. Debris viewed as a threat must meet the criteria of being at least 460 feet in diameter.
Lindsey Johnson, NASA's near-earth project manager said that debris ranging from 460 to 3,280 feet can decimate an entire region of earth.
Only 6,000 of the approximated 20,000 objects which have this capacity for destruction, or worse, have been spotted because of a lack of funding by the federal government in telescopes necessary for NASA observation and study
NASA officials say that have been able to identify only one-third of the objects that could be threats to the Earth due to the lack of telescopes and the funding from the United States government which would enable more technology and man-power to be assigned.
Government Requested Study, Gave No Funds
The National Academy of Sciences said after a study that was released on August 13,that there has been "relatively little effort" by the U.S. government to secure the funds needed for the project.
NASA officials have said $800 million dollars would be necessary for to build new ground telescopes or an observation system needed to spot these potential disasters before the deadline of 2020.
A Real Chance of Danger Due To Collision
Around five near-Earth objects that pose a direct threat of collision has so far been identified by NASA, according to its' website, which is continually updated for citizens on potential strikes.
Two rocks that scientists are specifically studying at this time include a 430 ft. diameter piece of debris that has a one in 3,000 chance of hitting the earth in the year 2048.
Apophis is also being heavily watched by NASA. Apophis is an over 800 foot asteroid that has a one in 43,000 chance of hitting the earth in the estimated years of 2036, 2037 or 2069.
The latest space debris strike occurred on the planet Jupiter in July when a rock of unknown size crashed into the large planet, leaving an Earth-sized contusion.
Closer to home, on November 4, 2008, a small near-earth asteroid exploded upon atmospheric entry above Northern Sudan. No damage was done but the fireball explosion was unique in that NASA technology was able to predict the location and time of impact a day before the actual event.
This type of warning system is what scientists and astronomers hope will be funded by Congress, instead of just requested, in order to keep the NASA team functioning at a high-level of efficacy at watching the night sky.
Heather Harris - Heather Harris has been a devoted writer and documentarian since the age of 6 when she was sure that future civilzations would read her ...
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