4:30 PM - 4:45 PM
[MZZ40-11] Achievements and Prospects of the Planetary Defense Conference (PDC)
Keywords:The Planetary Defense Conference (PDC) , Threat of asteroid impacts on Earth, Asteroid explorations conducted by spacecrafts, Achievements in the Social Domain, UN' s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
1. Discussions and Achievements in PDC
The Planetary Defense Conference (PDC) is an international conference of experts focused on the potential impact of asteroids and comets on Earth. Organized by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the conference is held biennially. Since its inception in 2009, it has been convened nine times, including the most recent conference held in early May in Cape Town, South Africa.
Discussions at PDC can be categorized into some key areas. The first is the technical issues, which explores technologies that can deflect asteroids away from collision courses with Earth. The second is its mission, which examines the guiding principles for developing planetary defense technologies. The third is the international cooperation domain, focusing on the necessity and implementation of global collaboration for planetary defense. The fourth is the policy issue, which addresses the policies and implementation measures required for planetary defense.
Recent successes in asteroid exploration have significantly advanced discussions at PDC. In 2021, Japan’s asteroid probe, Hayabusa, became the first to reach an asteroid and successfully return samples from its surface, and European and American probes followed.
In the history of the PDC, they have also developed on the broader societal aspects, including disaster prevention, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations, as the high potential risk of asteroid and comet impacts on Earth.
2. The 9th PDC in Cape Town
From May 5 to May 9, 2025, the 9th PDC is held in Stellenbosch, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. Building on previous discussions, the conference may focus on several major themes: (1) The close approach of asteroid Apophis in April 2029 – One key topic is the close approach of the asteroid "Apophis" in April 2029. This event is expected to be visible to the naked eye and will be a once-in-a-centuries occurrence, raising global awareness of the potential threat of asteroid impacts. Additionally, there are plans to conduct a spacecraft mission to investigate this asteroid. (2) Designation of 2029 as the "International Year of Planetary Defense" by the United Nations – This initiative, first proposed at the 2021 PDC and later accepted by the UN in 2024, raises the question of how best to promote planetary defense awareness and initiatives on a global scale. (3) Technical measures to prevent asteroid impacts – In January 2025, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) issued its first official "Warning Notice", highlighting the potential impact of an asteroid in 2032. Developing effective countermeasures against such threats is a key discussion point. (4) Societal implications of asteroid impacts – In addition to technological responses, it is crucial to prepare for societal challenges that could arise from a catastrophic impact event. Also, since asteroid impacts are fundamentally tied to the sustainability of humanity and its societies, there are discussions that it should be included in the post-SDGs framework of the United Nations. (5) Also, at the Cape Town conference, there are many other topics to be discussed.
The Planetary Defense Conference (PDC) is an international conference of experts focused on the potential impact of asteroids and comets on Earth. Organized by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the conference is held biennially. Since its inception in 2009, it has been convened nine times, including the most recent conference held in early May in Cape Town, South Africa.
Discussions at PDC can be categorized into some key areas. The first is the technical issues, which explores technologies that can deflect asteroids away from collision courses with Earth. The second is its mission, which examines the guiding principles for developing planetary defense technologies. The third is the international cooperation domain, focusing on the necessity and implementation of global collaboration for planetary defense. The fourth is the policy issue, which addresses the policies and implementation measures required for planetary defense.
Recent successes in asteroid exploration have significantly advanced discussions at PDC. In 2021, Japan’s asteroid probe, Hayabusa, became the first to reach an asteroid and successfully return samples from its surface, and European and American probes followed.
In the history of the PDC, they have also developed on the broader societal aspects, including disaster prevention, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations, as the high potential risk of asteroid and comet impacts on Earth.
2. The 9th PDC in Cape Town
From May 5 to May 9, 2025, the 9th PDC is held in Stellenbosch, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. Building on previous discussions, the conference may focus on several major themes: (1) The close approach of asteroid Apophis in April 2029 – One key topic is the close approach of the asteroid "Apophis" in April 2029. This event is expected to be visible to the naked eye and will be a once-in-a-centuries occurrence, raising global awareness of the potential threat of asteroid impacts. Additionally, there are plans to conduct a spacecraft mission to investigate this asteroid. (2) Designation of 2029 as the "International Year of Planetary Defense" by the United Nations – This initiative, first proposed at the 2021 PDC and later accepted by the UN in 2024, raises the question of how best to promote planetary defense awareness and initiatives on a global scale. (3) Technical measures to prevent asteroid impacts – In January 2025, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) issued its first official "Warning Notice", highlighting the potential impact of an asteroid in 2032. Developing effective countermeasures against such threats is a key discussion point. (4) Societal implications of asteroid impacts – In addition to technological responses, it is crucial to prepare for societal challenges that could arise from a catastrophic impact event. Also, since asteroid impacts are fundamentally tied to the sustainability of humanity and its societies, there are discussions that it should be included in the post-SDGs framework of the United Nations. (5) Also, at the Cape Town conference, there are many other topics to be discussed.