For those who haven't seen it, here's a clip from the movie Armageddon. It might be one of the first movies that comes to mind, following NASA's recent announcement. In the movie Armageddon, a large meteor is heading for our planet. The way used in the film to get rid of it is to land on the asteroid. Then make a large hole to place a bomb and detonate it. In this way it is possible to split the meteorite into two pieces that, together with the impulse, each one passes by one side of our planet. If the ambitious plan is achieved, it would be a major milestone in the institution's 58-year history.The increasingly comprehensive management our species is achieving of its environment is worthy of reflection. In fact, there is even a scale for measuring the level of technological development of a civilization, and one scientist has even extended it. But today we're going to talk about the NASA project.
How do they intend to achieve it?
The name of the program that will develop the project is called DART, which stands for "Double Asteroid Redirection Test." The goal is to deflect these large rocks away from our planet.
To do this, they will launch a ship that will impact the asteroid Didymos., which in Greek means twin. Didymos is made up of two fragments, Didymos A, 780 meters in diameter and B, 160 meters. They will pass 11km from Earth in October 2022 and then in 2024.
The deflection technique, i.e. deflect the asteroid's trajectory, will be carried out together with experts from the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. "It would be NASA's first mission to demonstrate what is known as the kinetic impact technique to defend against a potential future impact of an asteroid. Remarks by Lindley Johnson, NASA Planetary Defense Officer.
The craft will launch to impact at 21.600km/h. Or what is the same, at 6km per second, about 9 times the speed of a bullet. With this, the effects of the impact can be analyzed.
The importance of asteroid tracking
The DART mission not only has implications for planetary defense, but is also an opportunity to study and better understand the nature of asteroids and their behavior. NASA indicated that asteroids are not just inanimate bodies; they are key components to understanding the history and evolution of the solar system. To learn more about the nature of these celestial bodies, you can consult our guide on the asteroid Bennu.
Previous research on asteroids indicates that Many of them are, in essence, "piles of rubble" (rubble piles), formed by the gravity of their own matter. This condition can influence how they respond to an impact, raising important considerations for future planetary defense missions.
In this context, it is essential Improve asteroid tracking and characterization capabilities to identify those that pose the greatest risks. In this sense, international collaboration plays a crucial role. Programs such as the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) are examples of how countries work together to monitor and develop strategies to address potential threats.
What happened to DART?
The DART mission found unprecedented success when, on September 26, 2022, it impacted the asteroid Dimorphos, resulting in a significant change in its orbitThis impact demonstrated the potential for diverting an asteroid's trajectory. The collision, which occurred at a speed of 6,6 kilometers per second, was estimated to have reduced Dimorphos' orbit around its companion, Didymos, by 32 minutes.
This result was not only a milestone, but also opened up new possibilities for the planetary defense, showing that human intervention can alter the course of celestial bodies that once seemed threatening. However, such missions will require careful planning and advance notice.
The real threat of asteroid 2024 YR4
As of December 27, 2024, the existence of asteroid 2024 YR4 was reported, which could impact Earth on December 22, 2032. Although the probability of impact is low, international monitoring protocols were activated due to this potential threat. To understand more about this, it is interesting to read what what would happen if an asteroid hits Earth.
With an estimated diameter of between 40 and 100 meters, this asteroid could cause significant local damage if it entered the atmosphere. Its detection and tracking is a clear example of how space agencies, including NASA, have taken preventative measures and responded to potential threats. In addition, it is important to consider the asteroids in our solar system and how their surveillance plays a fundamental role in planetary defense.
The international response
The increased astronomical surveillance of 2024 YR4 is an example of international collaboration for planetary defense. Thanks to the creation of a global asteroid observation network, objects approaching Earth can be detected and monitored, which is essential for anticipating any potential impact.
The operation of the NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office and other international agencies has allowed for the development of response protocols, which are crucial for making informed decisions in the event of a confirmed dangerous trajectory for an asteroid. It is also essential to understand the operation of technologies that detect dangerous asteroids.
Planetary defense technologies
There is no doubt that technology has advanced significantly in the area of planetary defense. The DART mission is just one example of the techniques that are being developed to deflect asteroids. In the future, other technologies, such as the use of nuclear explosives or alternative forms of deflection using gravitational fields, could be considered depending on the nature of the threatening celestial body.
NASA continues to research and develop new technologies to improve their planetary defense capabilityEach of these efforts in technology development is a step toward protecting our planet from threats from space.
The future outlook
Asteroid monitoring is an ongoing process. Current technology allows for the collection and analysis of data from distant asteroids, giving scientists the opportunity to accurately assess their trajectory and predict the need for intervention. Asteroid-deflecting missions like DART demonstrate that we don't have to wait until an object becomes an imminent threat.
Implications for humanity
The possibility of an asteroid hitting Earth is not just a science fiction topic; it's a reality that space agencies are actively addressing. History has shown that asteroid impacts are natural events which can have devastating consequences, as seen in the past with the impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Therefore, planetary defense is not just a field of study, but a responsibility that falls upon the global scientific community. International collaboration and the development of new technologies will continue to be crucial to the defense of our planet.
