Dr. Kelly Fast, Director of NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office. She fills an important role protecting Earth from catastrophic asteroid impacts. Her responsibilities include identifying and tracking asteroids, assessing their potential risk of collision with Earth, and leading efforts to develop innovative technologies for planetary defense. Dr. Fast has a deep academic background in astrophysics and astronomy. She is exactly the right person to respond to the threats of near-Earth objects.
Most recently, Dr. Fast was given the spotlight as the keynote speaker at the Australian Space Awards in Sydney. She warned in particular that Australia’s ongoing participation in global efforts to detect and monitor asteroids is critical. Her remarks highlighted the collaborative nature of planetary defense and the urgency of addressing smaller asteroids that may pose significant threats due to their difficulty in detection.
The Mission of NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office
Dr. Fast and her dedicated staff track more than 37,000 near-Earth asteroids. This essential effort reflects NASA’s commitment to its mission of protecting our home planet. This program is critical in finding all asteroids that are big enough to be on a collision course with Earth. The office collaborates closely with the International Asteroid Warning Network, which includes two teams of researchers from Australia who contribute their expertise to global efforts.
Dr. Fast drives home how vital this work actually is. He notes that the asteroid hazard is a global issue, adding, “The first order of business is finding asteroids… it’s the only natural disaster that you could actually prevent. This advanced warning and proactive approach is designed to ensure that future threats are detected early enough for effective countermeasures to be implemented.
Beyond just tracking asteroids, Dr. Fast’s office – and NASA – are at the forefront of developing many different techniques to shield Earth from incoming asteroid threats. One of the most promising techniques is the so-called “gravity tractor,” which uses the gravitational influence of a spacecraft to change an asteroid’s course. Dr. Fast notes that the most straightforward technique is to strike an asteroid with a projectile to change its velocity. This new approach proved effective when used on NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission, or DART.
Collaborating with Global Partners
Dr. Fast’s research underscores the need for global collaboration on international planetary defense initiatives. Director Leah Kaskowicz Her office works closely with transport teams in Australia and elsewhere around the globe. That collaboration fosters a competitive atmosphere that enhances their capacity to detect and track near-Earth objects. This global network is crucial for sharing data and expertise, ultimately improving response strategies against potential asteroid threats.
At the Australian Space Awards, Dr. Fast highlighted Australia’s role, stating that the country’s researchers contribute significantly to monitoring efforts. Their participation in the International Asteroid Warning Network exemplifies how different nations can come together to tackle a shared concern.
Dr. Fast cautions that the greatest risk comes from smaller asteroids, since it’s hard to spot them. At the same time, our scientists are hard at work finding and tracking the most dangerous, global-destroying asteroids. We aren’t supposed to be, at least, with respect to asteroids that have the potential to do global cataclysmic harm. We’ve found the bulk of those already,” she said. That’s not to say that her office doesn’t still try to improve detection methods for these smaller but still dangerous objects.
Recognition and Future Aspirations
In recognition of her invaluable contributions to planetary defense, an asteroid has been named after Dr. Kelly Fast: Asteroid Kellyfast, which measures approximately three kilometers in diameter. She expressed with tremendous joy about receiving this recognition. “Like most asteroids named for individuals, I’d like it to remain a safe distance out in the main-space belt,” she said.
Dr. Fast’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and cooperative research exemplifies her mission to keep the Earth safe from threats beyond our planet. Her leadership hasn’t stopped with her time at NASA. Her work, indeed, will be central to determining how we defend our planet in the future.
