UN, IAWN team up for planetary defense drill with interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS

Technology Nov 27, 2025

The United Nations and the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) are running a global planetary-defense exercise from November 27, 2025, to January 27, 2026.
Their focus? Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS—a rare visitor that isn't a threat to Earth but is perfect for testing how we track space objects and prepare for future risks.

Why 3I/ATLAS matters

3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object spotted in our Solar System, discovered on 1 July 2025 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile.
Its fuzzy comae and long tail make it tricky to measure, giving scientists a real challenge.
This drill brings together experts worldwide to sharpen their tracking skills and work as a team—so if something risky ever does head our way, we'll be ready.