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This Senate resolution designates June 30, 2026, as "Asteroid Day," a symbolic observance marking the anniversary of the 1908 Tunguska event, the largest recorded asteroid impact in modern history. The resolution highlights the risks near-Earth objects pose to life on Earth, citing examples like the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor explosion and the 2024 YR4 asteroid, which briefly raised significant impact concerns before being ruled a non-threat. It recognizes ongoing U.S. and international efforts in planetary defense, including NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, the DART asteroid-deflection mission, the upcoming Near-Earth Object Surveyor telescope, and preparations for the 2029 close approach of asteroid Apophis. The resolution does not carry any funding or binding legal requirements; rather, it formally encourages public awareness of asteroid risks and supports continued investment in detection, tracking, and defense capabilities. It affects no specific agencies or groups directly but serves as a statement of congressional support for planetary defense initiatives and science education.

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