NASA’s bold plan to blast ‘planet killer’ asteroids and prevent catastrophe

Around 66 million years ago, a massive asteroid hit Earth, wiping out an estimated 75% of all animal species, including dinosaurs

Around 66 million years ago, a massive asteroid hit Earth, wiping out an estimated 75% of all animal species, including dinosaurs. This catastrophic event changed the course of life on the planet forever. Fast forward to the present, and scientists are preparing for the possibility of a similar catastrophe. With the advent of advanced space technology, plans are underway to prevent another asteroid apocalypse from endangering life on Earth.

NASA’s Strategy to Defend Asteroid Threats

Amid growing concerns about Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), NASA last year released a comprehensive report titled “National Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan for Near-Earth Objects and Threats and Planetary Defense.” The plan details how NASA would respond if a potentially catastrophic asteroid were to head toward Earth. As stated by The US SunThe strategy calls for launching a fleet of up to 1,000 spacecraft to intercept and deflect the asteroid, or perhaps even use a nuclear device in extreme situations.

Although no immediate threat is expected for at least the next century, NASA continues to track the most dangerous asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth. But experts warn that many unknown “planet killer” asteroids could still be lurking in space, making preparation crucial.

Testing the Kinetic Impactor Approach

NASA’s first line of defense against a possible asteroid impact is the use of kinetic impactors – high-speed spacecraft designed to crash into an asteroid and knock it out of orbit. In 2022, NASA put this theory to the test with its $325 million Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). This mission targeted Dimorphos, a 580-foot-wide rock orbiting a larger asteroid called Didymos. The Hera spacecraft successfully collided with Dimorphos, slowing its orbit by 30 minutes.

Although neither Dimorphos nor Didymos posed a real threat to Earth, the mission was significant – it was the first time humanity had successfully altered the trajectory of an asteroid. However, the experiment also revealed possible new dangers. Experts noted that the impact could cause smaller fragments to break off, potentially creating additional unpredictable hazards.

With larger asteroids, the challenge becomes even more daunting. NASA experts estimate that nearly 100 kinetic impactors would be required to deflect a piece of space rock about 2,000 feet wide. A planet-killing asteroid similar to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs would require the launch of over 1,000 spacecraft.

The Nuclear Option: A Last Resort

If kinetic impactors aren’t enough, NASA has a backup plan straight out of a Hollywood movie: using a nuclear bomb to destroy the asteroid. According to NASA’s report, there may be situations in which a nuclear explosive device (NED) is the only viable option to prevent a global catastrophe. “It is still possible that the discovery of a relatively small object less than a few months to years before impact, or a relatively large object, or an object with a fast trajectory, would lead to a situation in which only the use of a nuclear explosive device would be sufficient “They can deflect or disrupt the impactor in time to mitigate devastating effects on Earth,” the report says.

A study found that it would take an atomic bomb 200 times more powerful than the one used on Hiroshima to repel an asteroid about 650 feet across. Aerospace engineer Brent Barbee narrated Live Science that a single atomic bomb of appropriate size could deflect asteroids up to 1.5 kilometers wide.

Barbee added: “Space is, of course, a vacuum. So there is neither a large pressure wave nor the thermal effects of a terrestrial detonation. You get a lot of radiation all at once.”

Worst case scenario: What happens if an asteroid hits?

If a “planet killer” asteroid actually hits Earth, the consequences would be catastrophic. Dr. Steven Goderis, research professor of chemistry at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, co-authored a study that examined the Chicxulub asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. He explained that the energy from the asteroid impact would be completely converted into heat, resulting in a massive explosion. “If that thing hits the target, it will more than explode; it is vaporized,” Goderis said, according to a report from CNN.

NASA estimates that the Chicxulub asteroid, which is about the size of Mount Everest, hit Earth at a speed of 15.5 miles per second (25 kilometers per second). The impact created a huge cloud of dust and debris that blocked sunlight for years, leading to what scientists call an “impact winter.” This drastic drop in temperature contributed to the mass extinction that followed.

How important it is to be prepared

Although the risk of an Earth-destroying asteroid hitting Earth seems remote, NASA’s preparations underscore the importance of being prepared for any potential disaster. Whether through spaceships, nuclear devices or advanced tracking systems, scientists are working to ensure that humanity does not suffer the same fate as the dinosaurs.

By testing these technologies and refining their strategies now, NASA aims to protect the planet from an event that could amount to ultimate extinction.