We don't have the technology to even do a complete search of possible impactors. Forgive me if I don't buy this, just like I didn't buy Reagan's star wars at the time, and the current premature fielding of unworkable missile defense systems. Obviously, if you have enough warning even the most minor push will alter an impactor enough. The problem is getting the warning. If we look at the threat of asteroid impact vs the current swarm of hurricanes, only the very largest (climate changing) impactors are really a threat that has any realistic cost/benefit to deflect for the present. Those are extremely (extremely,extremely) rare. We should be able to do a search to guarantee our safety from such impactors for a few 100 years, and then we can develop the technology at a leisurely pace. There is no rush on this. People need to activate BS detectors for self serving pronouncements of what technologies are capable of and think it through on risk, cost benefit.
Space/Science » in reply to CAPS
re: CAPS
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- Giving future human space explorers the credit they’re due