26 September 1994

Doc. 7163

MOTION FOR A RECOMMENDATION

on the detection of near-earth objects

presented by Mr LORENZI and others 1

1.       This year, in July, a quarter of century after the first man landed on the Moon, humanity has been able to observe technologically a very rare cosmic event, that is to say the impact into Jupiter of the fragmented comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.

2.       There is one chance in a thousand that the Earth will be struck in the next century by an object large enough to destroy food crops on a global scale and possibly end civilisation, as follows directly from the "NASA International Near-Earth-Object Detection Workshop" (January 25, 1992) and "Near-Earth-Object Interception Workshop" (August 31, 1992) applying the computed tolerance of 10 per cent in the estimated frequency of impacts.

3.       The Assembly is therefore convinced that the time has come for a new era in space activity. The Earth safety problem belongs to all humanity and it is becoming pressing to reflect on a planetary defence project.

4.       The Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers invite member states to assume a crucial role for making possible the drawing up of an international strategy among all the interested nations through improved scientific co-operation and possibly through the creation of an international space agency with an ad hoc mission.

Signed:

Lorenzi, Mitolo, Poças Santos, Caccia, Inönü, Tiuri,

Tabladini, Pozzo, La Russa, Latronico, Dolazza

1 ¹ 1. This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.