NASA puts 3I/ATLAS on threat list for first time in history, activates planetary defense

The mysterious interstellar object dubbed 3I/ATLAS has once again baffled astronomers with its unusual activity as it vanished behind the sun, where Earth’s telescopes cannot see it. It has been revealed that the object reversed its thrust as it passed by the Sun.

Now, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has taken an unusual step and deployed planetary defense tools to protect the planet in case 3I/ATLAS turns out to be an alien invader.

The space agency has added the interstellar object to the list of threats tracked by the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) - a United Nations backed group focused on Earth’s defense against near-Earth objects.

This is the first time in history that an interstellar object has been added to the list.

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, IAWN admitted the threat-addition adding that a special training exercise will be held from November 27, 2025 to January 27, 2026.

According to IAWN, 3I/ATLAS has shown several mysterious properties including “anti-tail”, a jet of particles pointing toward the Sun instead of away from it, indicating a reverse thrust.

It prompted NASA to add the interstellar object to the Comet Astrometry Campaign.

NASA hasn’t released a statement regarding the update as the entire space program is closed due to ongoing U.S. government shutdown.

Previously, Harvard astrophysicist Dr Avi Loeb has also noted the unusual behaviour of the comet, suggesting that it might be an alien UFO.