NASA-FEMA Plan Ahead In Case Of Asteroid Impact

Having an asteroid crash down to Earth is highly unlikely, but not at all impossible. It is a high-consequence scenario that wiped out species millions of years ago, and in case this happens again, attendees at the NASA- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tabletop exercise in El Segundo, California discussed in detail what we could do to avoid such scenario.

The third exercise in the series hosted by NASA and FEMA, the simulation, according to Space Coast Daily, was designed to strengthen the collaboration of both agencies. Thomas Zurbuchen, the Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington explained, "It's not a matter of if - but when - we will deal with such a situation."

He also added that we are at a point in history where we can respond t an impact threat, thanks to continued observations, predictions, response planning, and mitigation. The exercise itself provided a forum for the planetary science community to show and share data regarding hypothetical asteroids impacting Earth. Among the things discussed included consideration of unique challenges that an asteroid impact could present, including preparedness, response, and public warning.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate also shared that it is critical that we know how to work through emergency response plans now in order to "be better prepared if and when we need to respond to such an event."

NASA noted that among the exercise attendees included representatives from the following: NASA, FEMA, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Department of Energy's National Laboratories, the U.S. Air Force, and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

For their exercises, observers track a fictitious asteroid that was recently discovered with a 2 percent probability of impact with Earth on September 2020 - and in the scenario, attendees have to consider ways to provide accurate, timely, and useful information for the public.