Asteroid on Collision Course with Earth discovered by [your name here] Space Telescope

Asteroids are nature’s way of asking: “How is your space program coming along.” Ed Lu

One of the best Long Now talks ever was given by Ed Lu last year in June: Anthropocene Astronomy: Thwarting Dangerous Asteroids Begins with Finding Them

There are Asteroids hurling towards us, some of them are as big as the one that wiped out the Dinosaurs.

Apparently we have the tech to deflect an asteroid, but we don’t have the means to detect them early enough to do so.

Ed Lu calculated, that only 1/2 billion dollars are needed to bring such a telescope into space and he founded the organization to do it.

I am surprised that none of the billionaires have jumped on this once in a lifetime opportunity to save all of humanity:

CNN: Breaking News: Thanks to the Finnern Space Telescope we have discovered Asteroid G1257 on course to Earth. Scientists from all over the world are working together to send a rocket to kick it off course.

It would really unite the whole world around the mission to deflect that rock hurling towards us.

Once the Asteroid has been hit but once the big rock swooshed by us, I would print a new Business Card:

<your name>
Asteroid Kicker & Humanity’s Savior :-)

Talking about kicks, from that point onwards I would insist, that everyone addresses me with the Honorable Humanity Savior.

Think about your Wikipedia Entry his generosity saved all of humanity from extinction.

There are many billionaires that are into space programs: Richard Branson, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos come to mind. I am surprised, that they don’t grab this opportunity.

Steven Covey said: “Live, love, laugh, leave a legacy.” Oh, what a legacy to be had. Your tombstone could say the following:

<your name>
His/her generosity saved us all.

Another possibility would be for a rich country that wants to advance their science and technology field to fund it. 1/2 Billion for the space satellite program and I would spend another 1/2 Billion for creating a technology transfer park next to that country’s top tech university.

Tired: Having the highest building in the world, for maybe half a year.
Wired: Having the world’s brightest minds help deflect an Asteroid that is about to destroy humanity from this earth.
Expired: Not trying to solve this problem.

Even if you are not a billionaire, you can help by donating to the cause.

(cc) Picture: Cosmic Fireball Falling Over ALMA via Wikipedia