Are we monitoring space satellites closely enough to be able to assure ourselves that we will not be hit?

Question

What co-operation is being achieved to allow close monitoring of the immediate area around the earth?

Answer 1

We are monitoring.

The Near Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program has recently downgraded the risk of an asteroid impact. Instead of an initial estimate of 2000+ near earth objects they now beleive that there are more like 700. They are trying to find them.

Take a look at the link for more info.

Answer 2

Even if, for whatever reason, a satellite were to come crashing to earth, the odds are slim that it would hit an area that would cause any kind of devestation worth noting.

Consider how much of the earth is covered in water (70%) and then, of the available land mass, how much of that is uninhabitable/uninhabited (probably another 15%, given the polar/freezing regions and the desert regions). Now, all THAT considered, think of how much of the land used by humans is actually fields/crops/forests or other such sprawling land masses (such as golf courses). Given all of that, there are many many places that have sparse population/structures, so the odds of a falling satellite causing any major damage (again, worth noting is a key term) is incredibly slim.

I doubt one would fall without our knowing and having a fairly good idea where it would land, but the possibility still exists.

Answer 3

The man made Geo-stationary satellites keep tracking information of activity belonging to heavenly bodies close to earth. However, even on receiving information of a body (like comet or a meteorite) directed towards earth it would be hard to divert the path of such a body using the technology we have.

The worst would be to try to distroy the body over earth's atmosphere. This would result in shower of bits n pieces that would be burning and could very well create a catastrophe. May be humans might end up like the giant dinosaurs some day with such an eventuality.

Answer 4

Yes, NASA monitors all space debris in near-earth orbit to ensure the safety of the space shuttle and ISS. they keep an eye on anything larger than about a baseball. However, as for people on earth, there isn't anything man has put into orbit thats large enough to cause serious damage to earth if they deorbit, with the possible exception of the international space station, and even that would only cause localized damage to wherever it impacted. If you're asking if there anyone is monitoring space for asteroids that could impact the earth, there are several organizations that keep an eye on any significantly sized asteroids that could cross earth's orbit.

Answer 5

NORAD (North American Air Defense), keeps tabs on everything orbiting the Earth. They have to make sure that none of them are incoming nuclear warheads.

Any satellite larger than a softball is tracked by NORAD, and the data is disseminated by NASA through the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Answer 6

Never mind the immediate area. Be afraid of interlopers from deep space.

Or... if an alien civilization decided to bombard us with missiles moving at a relativistic velocity, by the time we saw them coming it would be too late to do anything about it. Read
The Killing Star
by Charles Pellegrino

Answer 7

There are various organisations and programs monitoring Earth orbit space. However, whether they are monitoring closely enough, only time will tell!

Answer 8

Of course we are! We need to have faith in our gov...

**SPLAT**