Reports
U.S. House Committee on Science Space and Technology Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Hearing: “From Detection to Deflection: Evaluating NASA’s Planetary Defense Strategy”
Thursday May 15, 2025
Introduction
The U.S. House Committee on Science Space and Technology (HSST) Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “From Detection to Deflection: Evaluating NASA’s Planetary Defense Strategy” on Thursday May 15, 2025. The purpose of this hearing was to examine NASA’s Planetary Defense strategy, including efforts to detect and characterize near-Earth objects (NEOs). It also assesses U.S. preparedness to respond to potential threats from NEOs, review current technologies under development, and identify potential gaps in our planetary defense capabilities. The hearing evaluated NASA’s progress towards completing the survey of NEOs greater than 140 meters in diameter as statutorily required by the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act.
Key Highlights
- NASA continues to successfully execute their Planetary Defense Strategy by working with U.S. agencies and the United Nations to track and observe potential near-Earth object (NEO) risks.
- NASA cannot fully assess how President Trump’s skinny budget will impact their operations until the full budget proposal is presented.
- Witnesses emphasized the need to fund NASA adequately so the agency can remain successful in their endeavors to mitigate NEO threats.
- Subcommittee Members raised concerns and highlighted the effects that DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) has on the overall success and long-term viability of NASA and other government agencies.
- Minor Planet Center (MPC) is a key partner to NASA in capturing critical data on NEO’s. Fully funding the Center is crucial as MPC serves as the global clearinghouse for asteroid tracking.
Witnesses
- Dr. Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Witness Testimony
- Professor Amy Mainzer, Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles. Witness Testimony
- Dr. Matthew J. Payne, Director, Minor Planet Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Witness Testimony
Opening Statements
Subcommittee Chairman Mike Haridopolos (R-FL)
In his opening statement, Chairman Haridopolos (R-FL) reaffirmed the importance of NASA’s Planetary Defense Strategy and the significant role the agency plays in protecting our way of life. The Chairman highlighted asteroid’s identified by NASA and their response to mitigate the threat. The upcoming NEO Surveyor mission, set to launch in 2028, will use infrared technology to detect hard to see objects obscured by sunlight. The Chairman pointed to NASA testing capabilities to deflect dangerous asteroids. In 2022, NASA’s DART mission successfully altered the orbit of a small asteroid, proving that redirection is possible. In closing, Chairman Haridopolos noted the strong bipartisan support for these initiatives.
Subcommittee Ranking Member Valerie Foushee (D-NC)
In her opening statement, Ranking Member Foushee (D-NC) expressed concern over the Trump Administration’s proposed FY 2026 skinny budget. The proposal includes a 24% cut to NASA and a 47% reduction to its Science Mission Directorate, which funds near-Earth object detection (NEOs) and other key programs. The Ranking Member suggested the cuts would severely damage NASA’s capabilities, halt progress in science and space exploration, and weaken U.S. global leadership in areas like climate science, aerospace, and AI. In closing, Ranking Member Foushee called for bipartisan action to fully support and fund NASA’s mission and legacy.
Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX)
In his opening statement, Chairman Babin (R-TX) discussed how most near-Earth objects (NEOs) pose no threat, but the larger ones could cause catastrophic damage. Despite a 2005 mandate to identify 90% of NEOs over 140 meters within 15 years, only 44% have been cataloged nearly 20 years later. The 2013 Chelyabinsk asteroid explosion in Russia underscored the dangers of undetected NEOs. NASA has since made progress, including early detection of a 2032 asteroid threat and the successful 2022 DART mission, which proved that an asteroid’s path can be altered. The Chairman noted the upcoming NEO Surveyor mission will significantly improve detection capabilities, especially for hard to spot objects.
Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
In her opening statement, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) raised concerns about the effects of budget cuts and workforce reductions on our federal science and technology agencies that support planetary defense. The Ranking Member noted the proposed budget cuts under the FY2026 skinny budget threatened agencies’ capacities to deliver a planetary defense strategy, risking a loss of expertise and preparedness. In closing, the Ranking Member urged for bipartisan support to reject the proposed budget cuts to ensure the safety and future prosperity of the nation is unharmed.
Witness Testimony
Dr. Nicola Fox
In her testimony, Dr. Fox discussed the NASA discovered asteroid, 2024 YR4, which initially posed a 1% chance of impacting Earth in December 2032. Dr. Fox provided insights into the notification protocols involving U.S. agencies and the United Nations, continuous tracking and observations ruled out a significant threat by early 2025. These efforts demonstrate the effectiveness of NASA’s planetary defense efforts. Dr. Fox highlighted NASA’s global leadership efforts to detect, track, and characterize near-Earth objects (NEOs) through a network of telescopes, space missions, and international cooperation. In closing, Dr. Fox noted mitigation is essential to safeguarding Earth from asteroid impacts, turning a once unpredictable natural disaster into a manageable risk.
Professor Amy Mainzer
In her testimony, Professor Mainzer discussed NASA’s goal of detecting 90% of near-Earth objects (NEOs) larger than 140 meters by 2020, but noted the goal was not met due to a lack of sufficiently sensitive telescopes. To address this, NASA is building the NEO Surveyor, a space telescope designed to detect hazardous asteroids capable of causing severe damage. The NEO Surveyor is expected to meet the 90% detection goal within 10–12 years. Professor Mainzer also touched on NASA’s demonstrated leadership in planetary defense, notably with its successful DART mission, which showed it’s possible to alter an asteroid’s orbit. In closing, Professor Mainzer discussed how NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office continues to drive global efforts in detecting, tracking, and deflecting dangerous NEOs, ensuring the Earth is better protected from future impact threats.
Dr. Matthew J. Payne
In his testimony before the Subcommittee, Dr. Payne discussed Minor Planet Center’s (MPC’s) crucial role in planetary defense, specifically in tracking and assessing Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) that could pose a threat to Earth. As the global clearinghouse for asteroid tracking, MPC processes over 50 million observations annually from around the world and tracks all 38,000 known NEOs, including 2,400 potentially hazardous objects. Dr. Payne also discussed MPC’s role with space domain awareness by distinguishing natural celestial objects from artificial satellites. In closing, Dr. Payne emphasized that planetary defense is a real and shared global responsibility, and that MPC plays a critical role ensuring Earth’s safety from asteroid impacts through science, coordination, and innovation.