Milestones
11/16/2015
2001
First ever workshop at NASA Johnson Space Center on asteroid deflection
2002
Formation of B612 Foundation with stated goal of "significantly altering the orbit of an asteroid in a controlled manner”
2004-2008
B612 leads Apophis debate
2005
B612 publishes invention of Gravity Tractor in Nature (Read)
2005
NASA successfully flies Deep Impact mission
2005
Congress gives NASA the goal of finding 90 percent of asteroids larger than 140 meters, called the George E Brown Act (Read)
2008
B612 funds design study at JPL showing feasibility of Gravity Tractor mission (Read)
2012
B612 announces Sentinel Mission (Read)
2012
Open letter to NASA about deflection mission planning and follow on meetings regarding potential impact of asteroid 2011 AG5
Read Technical Paper >
2013
Sentinel passes it’s first major technical review
2013
Sentinel Mission design published in New Space (Read)
2014
UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and General Assembly pass resolution creating International Asteroid Warning Network
B612's Progress Report Vol. 1: Engaging the World in Planetary Defense
2015 saw tremendous advances in B612's education, advocacy, science and technology efforts. We look forward to partnering with you again in 2016 as we continue to spread the word and engage the world in planetary defense.
IEEE, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
"Humankind lives in a cosmic shooting gallery." Harold Reitsema, B612 Mission Director, shares why Sentinel is the superior asteroid hunting telescope. Sentinel’s mission is to find 500,000 near-earth asteroids.
Asteroid: Doomsday or Payday?
Will asteroids turn out to be our economic salvation—or instruments of extinction?
Crew Members
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The ancients were correct in their belief that the heavens and the motion of astronomical bodies affect life on Earth—just not in the way they imagined. ”Sometimes those heavenly bodies run into Earth. This is why we must make it our mission to find asteroids.
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Lord Martin Rees
British Astronomer Royal and Cosmologist
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Lord Martin Rees
British Astronomer Royal and Cosmologist
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More NEO observations from the ground and from space are required to understand the asteroid hazard. More research on deflection and mitigation is necessary.
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Carolyn Shoemaker
American astronomer and
co-discoverer of
Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Carolyn Shoemaker
American astronomer and
co-discoverer of
Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 -
Legacy should be more than what we do for our families. The Sentinel mission is an opportunity to address a knowable and tangible threat to our civilization. Technology for technology’s sake is interesting. A mission to save the planet is riveting.
FOUNDING CIRCLE
Suzanna Mak
FOUNDING CIRCLE
Suzanna Mak
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Projects B612 undertakes are not just in the purview of large space agencies anymore. Private companies and nations now can compete with more ideas, more innovation and sometimes, collaboration. I think this takes the space industry, space science, and exploration to a whole new level.
FOUNDING CIRCLE
Steve Jurvetson
Partner, DFJ
FOUNDING CIRCLE
Steve Jurvetson
Partner, DFJ
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Working proactively and internationally to prevent serious asteroid impact is a good step.
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Roger Blandford
Professor of physics at Stanford University
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Roger Blandford
Professor of physics at Stanford University
Technical Excellence
Our extended team of staff, collaborators, and partners combined is are the best and are unparalleled in expertise. The success of our work is dependent on it.
Leadership
We believe it is our responsibility to put our knowledge and expertise to work for the betterment of humanity.
Exploration
We are driven by a thirst for knowledge. Our commitment to discovery is fed by a sense of wonder for the universe, and for our evolving capacity to explore it.
Initiative
We believe in stepping up and addressing unmet challenges. We don’t believe in wishing for the best, but instead in exploring and devising solutions with the best outcomes.