Major Gaps in International Planetary Defense Systems: Operation and Execution

Abstract

The current focus related to planetary defense concentrates on detecting cosmic hazards. However, the largest gap in planetary defense is the organization of an appropriate response revolving around operations, command, and control and execution of a planetary defense mission against all threats to the world today. This need for a global response capability applies whether this involves an asteroid, a comet, or a coronal mass ejection or some other threat. There is a need for clear management and control structures that are built on a framework that is based on multilateral enforcement and peacekeeping conventions. Some action has recently been initiated within the United Nations framework via the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space at the behest of the General Assembly. But this is really an initial step that must be considered as inadequate in terms of implementing a truly full-scale global response to a major and potentially devastating event with a potentially global impact. Without such framework it is not possible to begin to properly plan for operationalizing planetary defense.