Planetary Defense Depends On Transparency Not Reassurance

From a legal accountability perspective, the standard is not perfection. It is reasonableness under uncertainty. That standard requires clear communication, timely data release, and a willingness to revise public statements as evidence evolves. Anything less substitutes institutional comfort for public safety.

Planetary defense will not fail because we lacked telescopes. It will fail, if it fails, because we lacked the courage to treat uncertain risks as real responsibilities. The law is clear on this point in every other domain of public safety. Space should not be the exception.

“Accountability only works before the encounter, not after the damage is done.” – Samuel A. Lopez, USA Herald