Planetary defense is the effort to detect and mitigate threats from objects like asteroids and comets, with the goal of preventing or minimizing potential impacts with Earth. This session will delve into the asteroid impact hazard and recent developments in the field including detection, response options, risk retirement, upcoming missions, and the international response to asteroid 2024 YR4. We welcome contributions from diverse research perspectives on topics including deflection and disruption simulations and experiments, characterization of asteroid physical and structural properties, surface morphology, the dynamics of small bodies, and the effects of impacts into the Earth-Moon system. By leveraging simulation models, experiments, and characterization data, the session aims to inform mission design, foster collaboration, and optimize the effectiveness of mitigation approaches.

• P - Planetary Sciences