Enabling planetary defense: Science, law, ethics

Résumé fourni par la source

: The need for operationally-ready international agreements for planetary defense was recently highlighted following the discovery of Asteroid 2024 YR4 in December 2024, initially predicted to have a 1.3% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. While no longer considered to pose a threat, this event highlighted the need for a clear global response protocol for dealing with asteroidal and cometary impact hazards, including explicit guidance regarding who has the mandate to act and what approvals would be needed to create, maintain and activate global defense systems. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) has begun the process of multilateral planetary defense by creating the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG). However, not all countries or relevant stakeholders are members, and recommendations are not enforceable. This article will argue that a more robust and sustainable multilateral agreement for planetary defense and the protection of the astro-geophysical environment would promote space cooperation, protect our space heritage, and mitigate potential conflict arising from planetary defense activities.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.