CASSANDRA: A POLITICAL STRATEGY TO PROTECT OUR PLANET FROM NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS

摘要

Near Earth Objects (NEO)) -and in particular high inclination comets- are indiscriminately threatening to the entire planet; all nations, all times. International cooperation is therefore vital to a concerted, long-term effort to defend the Earth from potential impacts. This paper identifies a serious gap in command and control of Near Earth Objects detection, characterization, and mitigation efforts. It proposes a command and control solution that includes a multilateral international framework, the International Near Earth Objects Committee (INEOC). The INEOC will serve as the primary forum of international discussion regarding an identified threat and will serve to focus global discussion on detection coordination, mitigation technique development, and command and control. International aspects concern the policy involved in cooperation, a Command and Control (C&C) structure, and the national & international legal framework. A new international organization will be proposed to lead the effort and establish plans and structure for the C&C effort.