We have been aware of the danger to life on Earth posed by the impact of an asteroid or comet for many decades, but the first steps to prevent such a catastrophe have only been carried out recently. In this chapter, we briefly described the interplanetary matter with a focus on the population of potentially dangerous near-Earth asteroids and observing methods used to characterize them. We overviewed proposed methods of deflecting a dangerous object with a focus on the most technologically ready method – a kinetic impactor, which is going to be tested by NASA and ESA with their joint space mission AIDA. Across the chapter, special attention was paid to outlining potential contributions to the near-Earth object investigations by small states, using the research of interplanetary matter in the Czech Republic as an example of a significant contribution to the field by a small state.
Technology Readiness and Small States’ Contributions to Planetary Defense
Spa. Soc.
2022-04-23
21 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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