The Detecting and Mitigating the Impact of Earth-bound Near-Earth Objects (DAMIEN) Inter-Agency Working Group (IWG) of the Committee on Homeland and National Security, NSTC was convened in January 2016 to define, coordinate, and oversee goals and programmatic priorities of Federal science and technology activities related to potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs). The IWG’s primary goal was to develop a National NEO Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan to improve capabilities for prediction (detection, characterization, and monitoring) and National preparedness (protection, mitigation, response, and recovery).
About this Document
This document was developed through the extensive discussions and interchange of representatives from the U.S. government agencies involved in the DAMIEN IWG. This Strategy and Action Plan will improve our Nation's preparedness to address the hazard of NEO impacts by leveraging and enhancing existing national and international assets and adding important capabilities across government. The Strategy and Action Plan builds on efforts at NASA to better detect and characterize the NEO population as well as recent efforts at DHS and DOE to prepare for and respond to a NEO impact.
The National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan (Strategy and Action Plan) will improve our Nation’s preparedness to address the hazard of near-Earth object (NEO) impacts over the next 10 years. Its primary role is to help organize and coordinate NEO-related efforts within Federal Departments and Agencies (agencies), with a particular focus on efforts that are already existing and resourced. It seeks to leverage and enhance existing assets and capabilities—National and
international, public and private—to effectively manage the risks associated with NEOs.
The Strategy and Action Plan builds on efforts by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Energy (DOE) to detect and characterize the NEO population and to prevent and respond to NEO impacts on Earth. Five strategic goals, each supported by a set of strategic objectives and specific associated actions, underpin the effort to enhance the Nation’s preparedness for potential NEO impacts:
Goal 1: Enhance NEO Detection, Tracking, and Characterization Capabilities: NASA will lead the development of a road map for improving national capabilities for NEO detection, tracking, and characterization. Supporting actions will reduce current levels of uncertainty and aid in more accurate modeling and more effective decision-making.
Goal 2: Improve NEO Modeling, Prediction, and Information Integration: Agencies will coordinate,the development of validated modeling tools and simulation capabilities that aid in characterizing and mitigating NEO impact risks while streamlining data flows to support effective decision-making.
Goal 3: Develop Technologies for NEO Deflection and Disruption Missions: NASA will lead development of technologies for fast-response NEO reconnaissance missions and timely missions to deflect or disrupt hazardous NEOs. Developing these technologies before an imminent threat arises will strengthen our ability to prevent NEO impact disasters.
Goal 4: Increase International Cooperation on NEO Preparation: Agencies will work to inform and develop international support for addressing global NEO impact risks. International engagement and cooperation will help the Nation to prepare more effectively for a potential NEO impact.
Goal 5: Strengthen and Routinely Exercise NEO Impact Emergency Procedures and Action Protocols: The United States will strengthen and exercise procedures and protocols for assessing NEO threats, communication regarding threats, and response and recovery activities. Coordinated communications and notifications within the U.S. Government and with foreign governments will improve impact emergency preparedness and reduce the physical and economic harm to the Nation. The Strategy and Action Plan should inform the policy development process. Any commitment of Federal resources to support the activities outlined in this document will be determined through the budget process.
NEO impacts pose a significant and complex risk to both human life and critical infrastructure, and have the potential to cause substantial and possibly even unparalleled economic and environmental harm. This Strategy and Action Plan provides a road map for a collaborative and federally coordinated approach to developing effective technologies, policies, practices, and procedures for decreasing U.S. and global vulnerability to NEO impacts. When implemented, the activities outlined herein will improve detection, research, mission planning, emergency preparedness and response, and domestic and international engagement. Implementing the NEO Action Plan will increase the United States’ ability and readiness, together with domestic and international partners, to mitigate the impact hazard posed by NEOs.
Original working URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/National-Near-Earth-Object-Preparedness-Strategy-and-Action-Plan-23-pages-1MB.pdf
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
