WI: Meteor in the Capitol Building

In 1970, a few months before the mid-term elections, very early one morning, when no-one is there (or very few people are), A smallish meteor hits the US Capitol building, seriously damaging the south wing, where the House of Representatives (and joint sessions of the Congress) meets. Nobody is killed, but everyone is aware that if it had happened when the HoR was in session, there would have been an emergency election soon after.

A lot of Congressmen, Senators, and reporters talk to a lot of astronomers, who tell them of the large number of asteroids out there, the near certainty of more impacts, how much worse it could have been, and the fact that just blowing up the rocks is unlikely to help. Of course, reporters exaggerate things, and politicians mostly misunderstand, but most of the US, and many people in foreign nations, have the feeling that Something Must Be Done. Naturally, legislators feel that they Must Be Seen To Be Doing Something (especially in the US, with elections coming up).

So, what do they do, and how does it affect the future of the various Space Programs?
 
I don't think it'll affect much. It'll be like "Holy fuck! What was up with that?" and they repair it.

The idea was for a long time, and I don't know when it stopped, that space rocks really were not a problem because the atmosphere would burn up whatever entered into it. That's why the theory that an asteroid killed the Dinosaurs had trouble catching on at first.

But, I prefer Mr. Copycat's idea to mine if we can make it a sci-fi Space Marine organization. ALL HAIL NIXON'S REPUBLICAN SPACEGUARD!!!!
 
1970? I'd guess a lot more funding for telescopes and a faster sky survey. There'd also be some studies and plans for spaceships that could intercept and divert meteors, but I don't think any would actually get built. (Too expensive; by the time we could build them, we'd see there wasn't another meteor on the way.) I think we'd see a Constitutional amendment to appoint temporary Representatives in case of vacancies, though.
 

Hyperion

Banned
Obviously, astronomy programs, both at the more amateur and professional level get a boost in funding, at least for a few years afterwards.

Space exploration may or may not get any additional funding. At the very least, I could see more money being coughed up for robotic missions to asteroids or comets sooner.

International wise, no clue what could happen. Perhaps in the pursuit of science and fostering relations between the Super Powers, Congress or some government agency might recommend a joint mission with the Russians to look more in depth at the Tunguska event.
 

Cook

Banned
Several TV evangelists sermonise about it being a warning from god against the sinners and fornicators in Congress and several Doomsday Cults take it as a sign that the End of the World is upon us. (This is the 1970s we’re talking about)
 
Several TV evangelists sermonise about it being a warning from god against the sinners and fornicators in Congress and several Doomsday Cults take it as a sign that the End of the World is upon us. (This is the 1970s we’re talking about)
Yeah, they probably do. I rather doubt they'll convince many people who don't already believe them, though.
 
How's this different?

Several TV evangelists sermonise about it being a warning from god against the sinners and fornicators in Congress and several Doomsday Cults take it as a sign that the End of the World is upon us. (This is the 1970s we’re talking about)

How is this reaction from the evangelical types any different from what you would likely see today? These are people that blame other natural disasters on people that don't think the way they want them to...
 
NHBL, how true, that clunge Michelle Bachman was making stupid statements about Hurricane Irene. Why are so many Americans anti science (and especially anti evolution)? most other conservative groupings (and I am a member of one) in the west (and indeed the non islamic 3rd world) are very pro science.
 
NHBL, how true, that clunge Michelle Bachman was making stupid statements about Hurricane Irene. Why are so many Americans anti science (and especially anti evolution)? most other conservative groupings (and I am a member of one) in the west (and indeed the non islamic 3rd world) are very pro science.
It has to do with how pro-religion they are.
 
METEORS BURN UP IN THE ATMOSPHERE!!!

METEORITES HIT THE GROUND!!!

GET IT RIGHT PEOPLE!!!


*astronomy rant*

Don't worry Charon, I forgive you.
NHBL, how true, that clunge Michelle Bachman was making stupid statements about Hurricane Irene. Why are so many Americans anti science (and especially anti evolution)? most other conservative groupings (and I am a member of one) in the west (and indeed the non islamic 3rd world) are very pro science.

This is off-topic political baiting; please don't do it again.

I don't think it'll affect much. It'll be like "Holy fuck! What was up with that?" and they repair it.

I agree. Maybe a little more funding for astronomy and space defense would be in order but overall it would just be considered a minor fluke accident if nobody died.
 
Top