The U.S. space organization does not have the monetary resources to track all of the flying objects that could pose a threat to Earth
Even though the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is able to detect and monitor most asteroids that are close enough in case of potential impact with Earth, the U.S. space organization lacks the proper funding to get it done within the deadline that Congress imposed in 2005. Specifically, Congress wants NASA to detect 90% of the near-Earth objects (NEO) range from 140 meters in diameter up to more than a kilometer and a half.
The NASA report speculates there are around 20,000 asteroids and other flying objects that are currently in orbit somewhat close to the Earth. But financial constraints will not allow NASA to detect, monitor, catalog and characterize all of the NEOs like Congress requested two years ago -- it is more likely that NASA will have to focus only on the flying objects that pose a real threat to Earth.
To accomplish the plan enacted by Congress by 2020 would force NASA to use ground-based telescopes that are used by other research and space agencies; the likely creation of a dedicated observatory designed specifically for tracking NEOs; and NASA to launch a space craft that would monitor a safety cushion around the Earth. The report estimates that all of these projects would cost more than $1 billion, which is a high price that NASA cannot afford.
The Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii is one tool that is being used by three UK universities to help locate possible Earth-threatening asteroids. The powerful telescope is able to detect objects from 300m in diameter, which is large enough to have a strong impact on the Earth.
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