What essential function does monitoring near-Earth objects serve via space science?
Answer
Planetary defense against potentially catastrophic threats
A crucial, practical application of space science directly relates to planetary defense. This involves the continuous monitoring and identification of near-Earth objects whose trajectories pose a potential threat. If left unchecked, an impact from such an object could trigger catastrophic damage on a global scale, fundamentally threatening civilization itself. The successful mitigation of even an unlikely threat of this magnitude is considered to provide an effectively infinite return on the initial investment, as the preservation of society's continuation is the ultimate outcome.
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