With the recent Philae landing by the European Space Agency there has been a renewed spirit for space exploration and space operations around the globe. Now that researchers and scientists have been able to successfully land craft on an asteroid the next precautionary step is to devise an early warning system for asteroids that may make there way to Earth. As recent as the asteroid that breached the atmosphere over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in February 2013, asteroids are deadly fireballs that streak the skies with sonic booms and can cause heavy panic. NASA for some time has been tracking these potential Earth-bound asteroids, but it has recently been announced efforts for an International Asteroid Warning Network or IAWN.

Originally, there was a United Nations Action Team 14 that was anchorage to the detections of near-Earth objects (NEO)m gathering data and conducing analysis to provide early timely warnings to national leaders and agencies. It has operated as a precursor to the new IAWN.

It has been reported by DNews, a workshop was held by the Secure World Foundation in September bringing experts together to introduce plans for the IAWN. Operating outside the United Nations, IAWN has just been released as a public document, but the results of the actual international workshop, have yet to be reviewed by the IAWN Steering Committee, halting its adoption and implementation.

“We made very good progress toward identifying the main issues involved with communicating with the media and public regarding warnings of possible NEO impacts and other related issues,” said workshop participant Sergio Camacho, who chairs the U.N. Action Team on NEOs — a group that was established in 2001.

This banding of international agencies to defend against a potential bombardment of asteroids may be the first step in a truly globalized defense system that brings our planet together in a unique way never devised. Nations and Kings have became allies over the years through a common enemy, and perhaps with the invasion of asteroids or alien life, our planet can join its forces and forgive the petty wars of man.