Abstract:
Mitigating the threat posed by Small Solar System Bodies requires not only tracking their orbital trajectories but also understanding their physical nature. By intensive calculus, simulating close approaches and impact scenarios, we map the uncertainty propagation in short-arc orbit determinations. The results highlight how integrating physical property simulations with orbital mechanics enhances our early-warning capabilities, providing a more reliable timeline for decision-making in planetary defense protocols. Within the framework of the planetary defense paradigm, this study presents recent observational data and physical characterization of high-risk Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). Utilizing ground-based optical assets, we derived light curves, rotation periods, and taxonomic classifications for a selected sample of targets. These physical parameters (such as composition, porosity, and binarity) are critical, as they dictate how an asteroid would respond to various deflection techniques. Our findings demonstrate how rapid-response characterization refines impact probability matrices and shapes the strategic planning of future planetary defense architectures.