Overview

Should the United States Air Force take in the nation's stance on planetary defense? Planetary defense in this paper means protecting the planet and therefore our nation from the impact of large Near Earth Objects (NEOs). This topic is usually relegated to the realm of science fiction movies and books but the consequences of such an impact are too great to ignore and simply dismissing it as impossible. Before addressing the role of the United States Air Force in such project, the problem of a NEO impact is analyzed. First, the paper analyzes the problem itself and discusses the probability that a NEO large enough to cause damage will impact the earth. There is discussion of past NEO impacts during the earth's history and the craters that leave us tell tale signs of these impacts that we can gather data from. Secondly, the effects and consequences of a NEO impact are discussed. This shows the reader how even though the probability may be low, the consequences are so high that we mush take a possible NEO impact as a serious matter. The paper then discusses how to predict and prevent an impact. In this chapter there is discussion on what the U.S. and other governments are currently doing to prepare for such an impact. We look at how many objects are cataloged that could possibly strike the earth in the near future and what we're currently doing to give the earth advance warning. Also discussed are possible options to prevent an impact once a NEO is discovered to be on a collision course with the earth. Finally the problem solution method is used to analyze what U.S. government agencies should have a role in planetary defense, including those that are already contributing or those that do not have a role. The conclusion reached is that the United States Air Force should play an increasing role in planetary defense. The Air Force possesses unique tracking, weapon and space launch capabilities that could greatly aid in the development of a formalized planetary defense system fielded by the U.S. government.

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