Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Science Photo Library - ANDRZEJ WOJCICKI
Topics: Science, Technology, Space, NASA
Callum Jones
Topics: Science, Technology, Space, NASA
Here's how scientists deflect asteroids after experts detailed the exact locations where the 'city destroyer' could hit.
Back in November 2021, NASA launched Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), making it the world’s 'first planetary defense technology demonstration'.
“At its core, DART represents an unprecedented success for planetary defense, but it is also a mission of unity with a real benefit for all humanity,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“As NASA studies the cosmos and our home planet, we’re also working to protect that home, and this international collaboration turned science fiction into science fact, demonstrating one way to protect Earth.”
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Meanwhile, Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at the space agency, added: "Planetary Defense is a globally unifying effort that affects everyone living on Earth. Now we know we can aim a spacecraft with the precision needed to impact even a small body in space.
"Just a small change in its speed is all we need to make a significant difference in the path an asteroid travels."
There is always the chance - though a very slim one - of an asteroid whipping out earth, so what are scientists doing to help prevent that travesty from happening?
Well, NASA has come to the conclusion the best bet involves using a kinetic impactor designed to redirect the asteroid, despite initial assumptions nuclear technology would be used to prevent a disaster.
While the latter hasn't been ruled out, a lack of practical test has dismissed its possibility at the moment, though that doesn't mean things won't change in the future.
But back to kinetic impactor, how does that work in practice?
To put it simply, NASA geeks slam an object like a spacecraft into an asteroid, which subsequently changes its trajectory.
And the DART is an example of just that, as it intentionally crashed into the asteroid moon Dimorphos three years ago in 2022.
The impact happened at roughly 14,000 miles (22,530 kilometers) per hour, which even slowed down the asteroid's orbital speed.
NASA’s Planetary Defense Officer, Lindley Johnson, was unsurprisingly delighted the mission was a success.
She said: "DART’s success provides a significant addition to the essential toolbox we must have to protect Earth from a devastating impact by an asteroid.
"This demonstrates we are no longer powerless to prevent this type of natural disaster. Coupled with enhanced capabilities to accelerate finding the remaining hazardous asteroid population by our next Planetary Defense mission, the Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor, a DART successor could provide what we need to save the day."