UNIS/MA/132
17 February 2016

For information only - not an official document

MEDIA ADVISORY

Media representatives are invited to attend the

Open Forum on near-Earth Object impact hazards

by the

International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and

Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG)

On Thursday, 18 February , 1.30pm - 3pm

at

Board Room D, C-building, 4 th Floor

The United Nations and its Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space have recognized asteroid impacts as a global concern. Building on recommendations for an international response to a near-Earth Object impact threat, endorsed by the General Assembly resolution 68/75, the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) were established. The IAWN uses well-defined communication plans and protocols to assist Governments in the analysis of possible consequences of an asteroid impact and to support the planning of mitigation responses. SMPAG is an inter-space agency forum that identifies technologies needed for near-Earth Object deflection, and develops reference plans for a future asteroid deflection campaign.

Speakers:

IAWN Organization: Rob Landis, Planetary Defense Coordination Office, U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

IAWN Operations: Tim Spahr, International Asteroid Warning Network

IAWN Communications: Linda Billings, Consultant to NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office

IAWN-related activities in Europe: Detlef Koschny, Co-Manager, NEO Segment, Space Situational Awareness Programme, European Space Agency

Observations of Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects: Claus Madsen, Cabinet of the Director General, European Southern Observatory

SMPAG Organization and Operations: Gerhard Drolshagen, Chair, SMPAG, and Co-Manager, NEO Segment, Space Situational Awareness Programme, European Space Agency

***

For more information on the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN): http://iawn.net

For more information on the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG: http://smpag.net

Media representatives who wish to attend and who are not already accredited to the VIC should write to press@unvienna.org as soon as possible.

 

* *** *

For further information, or interview requests, please contact:

Markus Woltran
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-8718
Email: markus.woltran[at]unoosa.org