The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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2021 Planetary Defence Conference - hypothetical impact scenario
The asteroid’s position uncertainty region at the time of the potential impact is much larger in both length and breadth than the size of the Earth. Impact could occur anywhere on the forward hemisphere (seen in this image) during the hour or so when the Earth crosses the asteroid orbit and sweeps through the uncertainty region. The red dots on the Google Earth image show some of the possible impact points. Note that while there are gaps between the dots in this image, the region at risk is actually a continuum that covers this entire hemisphere and goes well beyond the limb.