The Challenge

The Earth shares its solar system with billions of asteroids and comets. The vast majority orbit the Sun far from our planet. Those whose orbits approach our own are called near-Earth objects. The vast majority are harmless and pose no threat.

However, most people are aware of the large near-Earth object that devastated the entire planet 65 million years ago. While rare, these kinds of impacts are still possible. In fact, NEOs of many different sizes can pose serious threats.



An impact on or over a densely populated city could cause millions of deaths, and an impact on water could cause massive flooding on coastlines. Any major impact would lead to widespread damage, injury, and death, and would create unparalleled humanitarian and refugee crises around the world.



The good news is: preventing an asteroid or comet impact is a natural disaster we can actually prevent—if we try.