NASA, the renowned space agency, recently hosted the fifth biennial Planetary Defense Interagency Tabletop Exercise. This exercise aimed to simulate national and international responses to a hypothetical asteroid impact threat. The outcomes of this event, which took place at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), on April 2 and 3, 2024, will be discussed in a virtual media briefing.
NASA’s Commitment to Planetary Defense:
In collaboration with FEMA and the U.S. Department of State Office of Space Affairs, NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office organized this exercise. The primary objective was to assess our ability as a nation to respond effectively to potential asteroid or comet hazards. This exercise aligns with NASA’s planetary defense strategy, which focuses on protecting our planet and leveraging innovation for the betterment of humanity.
What to Expect at the Virtual Briefing:
Diving into the details of the tabletop exercise, a virtual media briefing will take place on Thursday, June 20, at 3:30 p.m. EDT. The briefing will be led by key participants, each bringing unique perspectives to the topic. Lindley Johnson, NASA’s Planetary Defense Officer Emeritus, Leviticus “L.A.” Lewis, FEMA detailee to NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office, and Terik Daly, planetary defense section supervisor at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, will share their insights.
Streaming and Registration Details:
For those interested in witnessing this informative event, the briefing will be streamed live on NASA TV and NASA’s YouTube channel. Media representatives planning to attend the briefing should RSVP to Alise Fisher at alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov no later than two hours before the event. Media accreditation policy can be found on NASA’s website.
The Significance of Simulated Exercises:
While there are no known significant asteroid impact threats in the foreseeable future, these hypothetical exercises play a crucial role in preparing our response capabilities. By conducting these simulations every two years, the United States gains valuable insights into how to effectively respond to a potential asteroid impact threat. This proactive approach ensures that we are adequately equipped in the event of such a crisis.
Notable Inclusions in this Year’s Exercise:
This year’s tabletop exercise was particularly significant as it saw the participation of NASA’s international collaborators in planetary defense. By engaging global partners, NASA aims to enhance and strengthen cooperative efforts to protect our planet. Additionally, the exercise benefited from real data obtained from NASA’s successful DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission. DART is the world’s first space technology demonstration focused on defending Earth against potential asteroid impacts.
Since its establishment in 2016, NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office has diligently worked towards managing the agency’s efforts in protecting our planet from asteroid hazards. The outcome of the fifth biennial Planetary Defense Interagency Tabletop Exercise will provide valuable insights and recommendations for future preparedness. Together, with collaborative international efforts and continuous innovation, we can confidently safeguard our planet.
To learn more about planetary defense at NASA, visit:
https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-defense
Source: NASA
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