The Survival Imperative: Using Space to Protect Earth

Science News,  Oct 6, 2007  

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THE SURVIVAL IMPERATIVE: Using Space to Protect Earth

WILLIAM E. BURROWS

The possibility that an asteroid may crash into Earth ranks near the bottom of most people's worry lists. However, Burrows points out, such a collision is possible, and its impact could be catastrophic. What, if anything, can be done to prevent such a disaster? Burrows, a veteran science journalist, sets forth the necessary elements for a planetary-defense program and gauges the threat posed not only by asteroids and other near-Earth objects but also by natural disasters and by people's own destructive technologies. Burrows' ideas extend to using space to protect Earth against all manner of threats. The suggested defense mechanisms range from using spacecraft to track the movement of weapons of mass destruction to monitoring weather patterns and climate change. He points out that spaceflight may be imperative to the survival of humanity, as the need to create remote settlements becomes more pressing. Forge, 2006, 317 p., paperback, $15.95.

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