NASA’s Roman Space Telescope to Aid Planetary Defense Efforts

NASA is preparing for the late August launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While the primary mission of the observatory is to investigate the mechanics of the universe, including the roles of dark matter and dark energy in cosmic expansion, it is also expected to contribute to planetary defense.

A team of astronomers and planetary scientists is scheduled to present findings in September detailing how the telescope’s capabilities can be utilized to monitor asteroids. The research will highlight the observatory's potential to provide critical data regarding the composition, size, and orbital trajectories of near-Earth objects.

Source: MIT Technology Review