‘This is going to be what makes the Earth secure.’ How one startup plans to protect us from dangerous asteroids

From Science Fiction to Science Fact: The Commercialization of Planetary Defense

For decades, the idea of protecting Earth from asteroid impacts was the exclusive domain of government agencies and Hollywood blockbusters. Still, a fundamental shift is occurring. We are moving away from “bespoke” billion-dollar missions toward a model of persistent, repeatable infrastructure open for science, exploration, and commerce.

The emergence of commercial players is changing the economics of deep space. Traditionally, reaching beyond Earth’s orbit required decade-long timelines and astronomical budgets. Now, startups like Southern California-based Exploration Labs (ExLabs) are proposing “deep space ride share” missions. Their Apophis EX mission aims to rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis both before and after its close flyby of Earth, providing scientific data for resource prospecting and planetary defense.

The “Marketplace” Model for Space Safety

The future of planetary defense likely lies in a diversified commercial marketplace. Jim Bridenstine, former NASA Administrator and current managing director of the Artemis Group, suggests that the government should be just one of many customers. By encouraging providers to compete on cost and innovation, the industry can drive down expenses and increase access to deep space.

This transition is critical because funding remains a hurdle. James Orsulak, co-founder of ExLabs and chairman of the Planetary Defense Trust, has noted that NASA’s planetary defense budget represents less than one percent of the agency’s total budget—an amount he argues is insufficient to achieve comprehensive protection.

Beyond the “Silver Bullet”: A Toolkit for Asteroid Deflection

One of the most dangerous misconceptions in planetary defense is the search for a single, perfect deflection technology. According to Edward Lu, former NASA astronaut and head of the Asteroid Institute, there is no “one best” technology for stopping an asteroid.

Instead, experts are advocating for a multi-step process that matches the specific characteristics of the threat. The current “toolkit” of potential deflection methods includes:

• Kinetic Impactors: Smashing a spacecraft into the asteroid to nudge its orbit.
• Gravity Tractors: Using the gravitational pull of a nearby spacecraft to slowly steer an object.
• Ion Beams: Utilizing high-energy particles to alter the asteroid’s path.
• Nuclear Detonations: Using nuclear energy as a last-resort method for larger threats.

David Bearden, manager of the Office of Strategic Planning at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasizes the demand to maximize opportunity and bring down risk by rigorously testing these techniques to understand exactly when and how they work.

The Race for Rapid Response Capacity

In planetary defense, time is the most valuable currency. The ability to detect a threat and launch a mission quickly can be the difference between safety, and catastrophe. Edward Lu points out that the pace of change in the private sector is “mind-boggling,” with the capacity to build spacecraft in as little as a year.

The goal is to build an industrial capacity where a launch can be called up within a week. This level of reliability and flight rate not only reduces costs but ensures that the systems we rely on for Earth’s security are flight-proven and ready for immediate deployment.

Turning Planetary Defense into a Global Priority

To move planetary defense from a “niche discipline” to a global priority, experts are looking toward high-impact storytelling. James Orsulak has suggested engaging partners like IMAX to broadcast asteroid flybys in a live, prime-time format. The goal is to capture public attention on a scale similar to the Super Bowl, bridging the gap between the dramatized versions of these events seen in movies like Armageddon and the actual science of planetary protection.

By turning these celestial events into global moments, the industry hopes to foster the international coordination and funding necessary to secure the planet’s future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Asteroid Apophis hit Earth during its 2029 flyby?
No. Astronomers have confirmed that Apophis will not hit Earth in 2029, although it will pass remarkably close—closer than our geostationary satellites.

What is a “deep space ride share” mission?
It is a commercial model, proposed by companies like ExLabs, that aims to make deep space missions more affordable and repeatable by sharing infrastructure and transport for multiple scientific or commercial goals.

Why can’t we just leverage one method to stop all asteroids?
Asteroids vary wildly in size, composition, and speed. A method that works for a small, rocky object might fail for a large, porous one, necessitating a diverse toolkit of deflection strategies.