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To: SunkenCiv

Not much to choose from with NEOs. Asteroid Belt has all three kinds.


32 posted on 06/05/2005 4:20:40 PM PDT by RightWhale (We're trying to get rid of foreign oil, not find something more efficient or cheaper)
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To: RightWhale

http://www.house.gov/science/press/109/109-78.htm

NOAA, NASA BILLS SAIL THROUGH COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 17, 2005

H.R. 1022, also introduced by Rep. Rohrabacher, would establish a program within NASA to detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical properties of near-Earth asteroids and comets equal to or greater than 100 meters in diameter in order to assess the threat of Earth being struck by such near-Earth objects.  The bill would authorize appropriations for the program of $20 million for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2007.

Rep. Rohrabacher said, "The potential catastrophe of an asteroid hitting Earth should no longer be ignored. We need to know what is out there. Accounts of asteroids passing close to Earth with almost no prior warning should be enough to get our attention. The first step is to assess the threat. Given the vast number of asteroids and comets that inhabit the Earth's neighborhood, greater efforts for tracking and monitoring these objects are critical. This bill would direct NASA to expand their current program to track and detect potential threats and would provide a funding authorization. Any threat that would wreak havoc on or world should be studied and prevented if possible. We have the technology, we need the direction – this bill provides that."


34 posted on 06/05/2005 8:30:58 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FR profiled updated Tuesday, May 10, 2005. Fewer graphics, faster loading.)
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