. > general bolden i represent livermoore california.ne that when you talk about systems and technology and if we were to require a weapon to deflect an near-earth object that was incoming, some of that technology has been or will be designed at one of those laboratories? >> is that a question? >> yes. >> i gould back to what dr. holdren said earlier. i will not consider a weapon, you know, to deflect or to save earth against this type of threat. i would consider the development of appropriate technologies that could enable us -- you're talking about deflecting -- i mean it is a tiny amount if you catch it far enough out. >> let's assume it is late stage detection. i imagine that our choices are limited, right? >> yes. i don't do bombs and rockets. >> i imagine they would play a critical role if we have late-stage detection of one of these near-earth objects? >> yes, sir. there are only a limited number of ways to generate the amount of energy that is required and we're talking about nuclear energy here. >> is there a way to guarantee th