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NASA officials highlighted that Earth is vulnerable to around 15,000 undetected medium-sized asteroids, known as 'city killers.' The Dart mission in 2022 showed that deflection is possible, but current resources and preparedness for future threats are inadequate.

Dr. Nancy Chabot expressed concern that 50% of 140-meter asteroids remain unidentified. Dr.

Kelly Fast noted that the medium asteroids pose the greatest risk, with an estimated 25,000 potentially damaging asteroids still to be located. To enhance detection, NASA plans to launch the Surveyor mission in 2027, aiming to identify 90% of asteroids over 140 meters in size within ten years.