This planetary defense session will bring together various branches of government, space agencies, and other international organizations to discuss comprehensive solutions in all areas of detecting, monitoring, understanding, predicting, preparing, and mitigating Near-Earth objects, including a multidisciplinary approach addressing recent developments in planetary defense. We accept papers on sample return missions on NEO properties and the analysis of small bodies’ material, including data on the mineralogy and thermomechanical properties of such bodies obtained through missions like OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2. Additionally, current and upcoming missions, including the first deflection test with DART, such as revised numerical modeling and physical characteristics of Didymos and Dimorphos, are also welcome. The multidisciplinary and synergetic approach will cover the impact hazard posed to space assets by micrometeoroids or human-made debris that can help drive technological advancements. The session will also cover various areas that inform the future of planetary defense, such as methods for the prevention of impactful events, preparations for the worst-case scenario mitigation campaigns, and factors entailed in decision-making, communication, education, legal considerations, and other transdisciplinary research that could help make better decisions and prevent any threat posed by an asteroid or comet.
Building on the Success of 2024 & 2025
- Established Planetary Defense Program at NSS ISDC
- 18+ Professional Technical Presentations Delivered
- 500+ Specialized Brochures Distributed to the Public
- Dedicated "Dual-Use" Framework Connecting Planetary Defense to Broader Space Sectors
- Cutting-Edge Topics: Apophis, 2024 YR4 & James Webb Space Telescope Findings, and more!
Founded in 2024 by expert Nancy C. Wolfson, the NSS ISDC Planetary Defense (PD) Program established a critical new pillar within the International Space Development Conference. Building on its inaugural success, the 2024 and 2025 programs evolved into a multi-faceted initiative, featuring a dedicated technical track, high-level special sessions with world-renowned experts, and an interactive outreach booth designed to drive public engagement and professional collaboration. Under Wolfson’s leadership, the program is becoming a premier discussion platform for the detection, characterization, and mitigation of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).
PD Program Highlights 2025
The Planetary Defense Special Session: "Look Up is an Asteroid" was held at the NSS ISDC 2025. This second edition successfully bridged the gap between science fiction and actionable planetary defense science. The session was moderated by Nancy C. Wolfson (AIAA), who also curated the specialized slide presentation and managed the program timeline to facilitate a seamless knowledge transfer from "fiction to science."
The expert panel featured a specialized cohort from the University of Central Florida and the Florida Space Institute, including: Dr. Richard Jerousek – Associate Lecturer/Observatory Director, UCF; Dr. Joseph Harrington – Pegasus Professor, Dept. of Physics, UCF; Dr. Daniel Britt – Pegasus Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, UCF; Dr. Audrey Martin – University of Central Florida; and Dr. Sean Marshall – Scientist, Planetary Department, Research Assistant Professor, Florida Space Institute. Discussions highlighted the latest impact probabilities for Asteroid Apophis (2029) and provided a rigorous analysis of the recently flagged 2024 YR4. The experts emphasized how observations from the James Webb Space Telescope have been instrumental in refining these trajectories. Complementing this special session, the 2025 Planetary Defense Track delivered 11 professional presentations focused on a "dual-use" theme via the PD Author Bootcamp. This strategic framework identifies critical synergies between planetary defense and broader space sectors. The program booth enhanced public engagement by distributing approximately 300 specialized brochures.
PD Program Highlights 2024
The 2024 Planetary Defense Special Session was a landmark event for the program, specifically designed to engage a unique demographic—young professionals and K-12 students. This audience brought a dynamic energy to the conference, as many were already familiar with the NSS through the annual Space Settlement Contest. However, for most attendees, this session represented their first formal exposure to planetary defense within the context of the ISDC.
The session featured an elite panel of experts, including: Dr. Nahum Melamed (The Aerospace Corporation), Dr. Peter Swan (International Space Elevator Consortium), and Nancy C. Wolfson (Program Founder & Moderator). Beyond her role as moderator, Nancy C. Wolfson curated the specialized slide materials and managed the program timeline to ensure the complex technical content was accessible and engaging for the NextGen audience. The session successfully bridged the gap between popular imagination and the rigorous scientific realities of protecting our planet. The Planetary Defense Track featured a curated lineup of seven expert speakers, while the dedicated program booth successfully engaged the public by distributing over 200 specialized planetary defense brochures.
