I came across an article this past week about the NEO program at NASA. NEO is an acronym for Near-Earth Object. Two key things were covered in this article: 1) the program needs more money in order to meet its 2005 mandate of tracking 90% of asteroids large enough to pose a risk; and 2) despite the benefits to the entire world, this is an effort the United States is bankrolling almost 100%.
It seems only fair to acknowledge that if, indeed, the odds turn against humanity and an asteroid does come barreling toward our planet, I will be the first to be grateful--at the very least--for the heads up not to mention if--in the best case scenario--our military can somehow save us or any part of this planet. I do believe we are all, as people, bound by something deeper than the borders and oceans that often divide us.
At the same time, it seems impossible not to consider the other side of the picture. Such as that odds are greater social security will fail, the health care crisis will continue, and our risky debt to other countries will continue to grow as we watch for this potentially time ending asteroid. Before the dreaded asteroid ever arrives, odds are greater tens of thousands of innocent lives will be lost to more terrorist attacks, hurricanes, typhoons and tornadoes. As money is poured into a program no one is really certain can prevent the inevitable even if it is detected, scientists are telling us there is evidence that global warming is already destroying our world and security experts are warning against the existing risks associated with our aging energy infrastructure.
You can find the article I reference here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/08/13/nasa.asteroid.detection/index.html
What are your thoughts on the NEO program at NASA? I don't think anyone will argue that our hearts aren't in the right place, but how broad should our shoulders be?
p.s. If you're freaked out by the image in this blog, rest assured that the collision depicted has been ruled out http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news133.html. ;-)
