Collaboration between space agencies and experts simulates response to near-Earth object threat, advancing planetary defense capabilities.
On March 28-30, 2023, NASA and its international partners conducted the fifth biennial Asteroid Impact Exercise (AIE) to enhance coordination and response efforts in the event of a potentially hazardous asteroid impact.
The AIE simulated the detection and response to a hypothetical asteroid designated 2023 PDC. The exercise scenario assumed that the asteroid was discovered in late 2022 and was estimated to pass within 3.5 million kilometers of Earth on June 25, 2035.
Over 200 participants from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other organizations collaborated in the exercise.
The primary objectives of the AIE were to:
- Assess the current state of asteroid impact detection and characterization capabilities.
- Test response protocols and communication mechanisms among international partners.
- Identify areas for improvement in planetary defense preparedness.
The exercise demonstrated the progress made in asteroid detection and response efforts since the last AIE in 2021.
The AIE identified several key findings:
- Early detection and characterization of potential impactors are crucial for effective response planning.
- Enhanced collaboration and information sharing among space agencies and government agencies are essential.
- Public communication and outreach efforts are critical to informing and preparing the public.
Based on the exercise findings, NASA and its partners developed a series of recommendations to improve planetary defense capabilities, including:
- Increasing the number of telescopes and observatories dedicated to near-Earth object detection.
- Developing more sensitive asteroid characterization techniques.
- Establishing a global network of impact response centers.