What is the main goal of programs like the Planetary Defense Coordination Office?
Answer
To detect and deflect potential Near-Earth Objects
Planetary defense focuses on mitigating the long-term environmental hazard posed by space rocks. The strategy relies on two main pillars: detection and deflection. Agencies work to identify Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) years or even decades before they reach our planet. Once a threat is identified, the defense strategy involves nudging the object's trajectory. This can be achieved through techniques such as using a spacecraft to impact the asteroid or employing a 'gravity tractor' to gently pull the asteroid into a different orbit, ensuring it does not collide with Earth.
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