HoodaThunk?

Back in 2006 a half-mile wide asteroid made a close pass to us and it generated real fears of an impact scenario as far back as 2004. When I reported on the near-miss in June of last year, I took note of another large piece of gravel that’s likely going to come a lot closer. That asteroid, Apophis (and I found that to be a very appropriate name, given one of the shows I watched regularly), is supposed to get within 20,000 km of the planet, which is actually inside the orbit of our geosynchronous satellites. 

In 2004, scientists were giving it a 1-in-37 chance of hitting us but they are now sure it won’t as it passes in 2029. However, it’s going to make a return trip in 2036 and whether it’s slated to whack us on that pass or not is still anybody’s guess. They say we’re going to have to observe it for another 4 to 6 years to be sure.

Better start firing up that old innovation machine. Given everyone else’s track record, it’s likely going to fall to America to step up if the numbers work out to an impact.