United Nations To Thwart Possible Asteroid Threat In 2036?

[johns805]

Hi: Huh? The UN vs. an asteroid threat??? Hmmm, it could likely be argued that the UN has a very spotty history of dealing with widespread hunger, disease and genocide, etc. here on Earth. Taking all that into consideration, isn't it questionable to expect that organization would be capable at all to tackle asteroid threats?<br />Read on at the link:<br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/02/19/asteroid.deflector.reut/index.html<br /><br />Then discuss amongst ourselves?? Best Regards! ~JBK

 

[tohaki]

The UN is the nations of the World. If the nations of the World can't stop an incoming asteroid then you will?

 

[bpfeifer]

It appears to me that the UN is not really set up to handle something like this. NASA has the technical know how. Did you notice that in the article everyone that was named was associated with NASA? The US also has the financial resources to pull off the gravity tug mission. At an estimated cost of $300 million it's about the same as an Explorer Class mission. <br /><br />The chance of Apophis striking the Earth is quite small, and doesn't strike me as a serious threat. I suspect that a lot of people pushing for moving the asteroid want to do so to prove the technology and capability before more serious threats appear on our horizon. <br /><br />(any puns in the above are only semi-intentional) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Brian J. Pfeifer http://sabletower.wordpress.com<br /> The Dogsoldier Codex http://www.lulu.com/sabletower<br /> </div>

 

[halman]

Hey, give 'em a break! The concept of something hitting the Earth is only about 100 years old, you know. And the belief that we can affect objects in space is still not widespread. Heck, the concept that there is anywhere besides Earth is still not widespread. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>

 

[saurc]

Why's everyone so worried about asteroids hitting the Earth? I mean, a hundred years ago we didn't know about this threat, so no one worried about it though the chances of an asteroid hitting then is about the same as it is now.<br /><br />Even if we have the capability to detect threatening asteroids, it will be practically useless unless we know how to divert it.

 

[bdewoody]

The dinosaurs weren't worried either and we all know what happened to them. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">Bob DeWoody</font></em> </div>

 

[j05h]

History beyond 100 years ago records numerous impact events, including destroyed cities and a possible "nuclear winter" in the ancient Near East. Earth is littered with craters.<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[josh_simonson]

The best thing that the UN could do is set up a fund to help pay the costs to whatever country goes ahead and saves the earth from the asteroid to ensure that the cost burden is spread more or less fairly among the folk in the developed world.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Bingo!!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[j05h]

<i>> The best thing that the UN could do is set up a fund to help pay the costs to whatever country goes ahead and saves the earth from the asteroid to ensure that the cost burden is spread more or less fairly among the folk in the developed world.</i><br /><br />Sure, but in the end We will end up doing it and paying for most of it. <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[docm]

The UN couldn't find its collective a** with both hands <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /><br /><br />IF anythings to be done it'll be a consortium of the space-faring nations. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[holmec]

Yep, that's it, we should send up the UN politicians to push the asteroids out of the way. Maybe that will keep them out of our hair for a while....lol.<br /><br />This seems silly. What will the UN do? Come up with a mandate or a committee? Space agencies are already looking at this threat. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[j05h]

<i>> The UN couldn't find its collective a** with both hands<br />IF anythings to be done it'll be a consortium of the space-faring nations.</i><br /><br />I wanted to stay away from politics, but, yes, the UN is useless. "We'll write a letter saying how unhappy we are with you. Oh, no, sharks!" <br /><br />My point in the prev.post was that no matter how it's organized "We" (US taxpayers) are going to end up paying for it. Air Force and NASA on asteroid-diversion? We pay. UN writing letters to the mean, nasty, shark-infested asteroid? US citizens pay. "Spacefaring nations" build something to deal with the threat? US citizens pay. (UN decides to tax airline flights? We pay.)<br /><br />I don't want this to degenerate into FreeSpace material, but we will get stuck with the Apophis bill.<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[rocketman5000]

great, that's what I need, an asteroid tax. I guess I don't have enough bills to pay...<br /><br />hehe<br />

 

[j05h]

<i>> great, that's what I need, an asteroid tax. I guess I don't have enough bills to pay... </i><br /><br />All I'm saying is that whenever "the World" does something, the USA foots more than half the bill. Usually a lot more. <br /><br />When the time comes, we'll be ready. <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[comga]

"My point in the prev.post was that no matter how it's organized "We" (US taxpayers) are going to end up paying for it. Air Force and NASA on asteroid-diversion? We pay."<br /><br />Of course, this would be the ultimate in hard-to-to-control-costs mission. "We've run over budget and out of money. We can't afford to build the spacecraft to save the Earth.....unless you give us more money." (Works for SIBRS and JWST, and those are nowhere near as important as saving the planet.)<br /><br />Concept: Give NASA and the Air Force $1B each. At the end of say, three years, past CDR, when cutting metal, which ever one demonstrates the probable lower overrun gets to finish.<br /><br />Also, if we build a killer asteroid diverting spacecraft, what are the odds that our European friends would chip in a rocket? Could we even get *some* help with the bill?

 

[dreada5]

Why do most folks here seem to hate the UN so much? The UN is the world. Get used to it. What does the US want, to have UN's authority AND remit?!!<br /><br />I'd propose the reason the UN has been mentioned in this at all is that the responsibility lies with those at risk ie. the world ie. the UN! (its not rocket science).<br /><br />Hence it should be common sense to recognise that the UN should be ultimately responsible for underwriting such a mission. As it should be obvious that space-faring nations are best placed to take responsibility for implementing such a mission.<br /><br />Now, sorry but, if the US (being the most experienced) <b>suddenly</b> doesn't like the idea of being a leader of such an endeavour then fine, don't get involved! Leave it to second tier nations to give it their best shot, if it works great, if doesn't... oh well, <b>goodbye Washington, Houston or New York</b>, but quit whining. (and I don't mean to be nasty) <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[docm]

Lessee...<br /><br />Save for the humanitarian agencies (and some of them have been involved in sex abuses) the rest of the UN is corrupt, inefficient and adverse to doing anything that has even a modicum of common sense in it. The Security Council is a joke and its lack of action in genocide zones is despicable.<br /><br />Its 'human rights' organizations are populated by the worlds most despotic nations and one of its main activities seems to be covering for them. That and providing diplomatic cover for the gang of crooks, criminals and ticket evaders that pass for 'diplomats'.<br /><br />Other than that I guess it's OK <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[kurtwagner]

Of course if the US single-handedly mounted the mission that saved the world....it might, on the backside of the event, provide the US with even more power/voice/hand in saying what goes on in the world (if we even want that, which many probably don't).<br />Kurt

 

[kurtwagner]

Of course if the US single-handedly mounted the mission that saved the world....it might, on the backside of the event, provide the US with even more power/voice/hand in saying what goes on in the world (if we even want that, which many probably don't).<br />Kurt

 

[docm]

For about one news cycle <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mooware]

<font color="yellow">Why's everyone so worried about asteroids hitting the Earth? I mean, a hundred years ago we didn't know about this threat, so no one worried about it though the chances of an asteroid hitting then is about the same as it is now</font><br /><br />Ignorance is bliss

 

[docm]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>...a hundred years ago we didn't know about this threat, so no one worried about it though the chances of an asteroid hitting then is about the same as it is now<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />And a hundred years ago no one knew of AIDS and numerous other diseases we see fit to fight today. Should we quit? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>