Big mandate, no money

Monday, Aug. 17, 2009 | 2:06 a.m.

Most of us do not start our day thinking about asteroids that might hit the Earth, causing catastrophe. But some people have to, including people who work for NASA.

The space agency estimates that our solar system contains 20,000 asteroids and comets big enough to cause destruction if they were to collide with Earth.

Just last month a gigantic something — a comet? an asteroid? — struck Jupiter and created an impact zone the size of Earth. Jupiter’s enormous size and gravitational field make it susceptible to collisions.

Although Earth is far less susceptible, it is not immune. According to a leading theory, an asteroid or comet collision in southeastern Mexico 65 million years ago caused the dinosaurs to become extinct after the sun was blotted out for months by clouds of dust.

Because even much smaller objects hurtling through space could cause destruction, at least on a regional scale, Congress four years ago mandated that NASA identify the long-term trajectories of at least 90 percent of the estimated 20,000 potentially threatening asteroids and comets by 2020.

Congress was right to give NASA this responsibility. But a new National Academy of Sciences report says Congress failed to provide NASA any money for the project.

The Associated Press last week quoted a space policy professor at George Washington University, who said Congress might never fund the project. The AP also reported that although NASA has made some progress using money from its existing budget, it has no budget to buy the telescopes necessary complete the job.

A minimum of $300 million would enable NASA to track the biggest threats. A total of $800 million is needed to fulfill Congress’ whole mandate. Over the next few years, Congress should provide the $800 million. Forewarned is forearmed.