2 ms·

How to Deflect an Asteroid

aurizon 7y ago
The asteroid trajectory must be refined - as per MIT. Based on this data, the structural integrity must be assessed. I expect asteroids to vary from rigid iron rich and tough bodies that are amenable to a 'point thrust'. By that I mean send a rocket with one or more rocket motors and fuel with separate fuel supplies that are anchored to a point, and fired to transfer momentum to the asteroid as calculated. If it rotates - what rate? Assess, and fire only when properly placed. Any rotation would be known and the thrust point optimized for the task. This installation would be re-supplied with fuel and oxidizer on a recurring basis. The whole thing may be manned or robotic if capable. If the asteroid is a gravitational aggregate of gravel, sand, and smaller asteroids - this will not be amenable to a point thrust - it would scatter apart as the inherent gravity would not keep them all together. In that case, a central detonation chosen to direct the path away would be detonated. This would scatter the debris in all directions. The scatter would be observed and the larger bits capable of entrym to the surface tracked. The gravel can be ignored. Larger bits assessed on a case by case basis and tracked, and detonated if possible. One hopes the recent project to assess all near earth objects that might intersect will give 5-10 years of advance warning so that measures can be implemented. Some people have suggested a 'gravitational tug' - mass placed near the body to attract it. This is a dumbass foolish suggestion, since gravity is the weakest force, and and object capable of the task would be in the same orbit as the asteroid and of similar weight (in order to atttract with a meaningful force) - this means it would be a similar threat. Time is what we need. With 10 years warning we can assuredly move a 10 KM asteroid onto a safe path for the initial impact and then progressively move it towards entry into the sun - the safe end point. The decision as to nuclear detonation, chemical detonation and persistent thrust application would be decided on the merits. Persistent thrust is by far the most efficient method.

The asteroid trajectory must be refined - as per MIT. Based on this data, the structural integrity must be assessed. I expect asteroids to vary from rigid iron rich and tough bodies that are amenable to a 'point thrust'. By that I mean send a rocket with one or more rocket motors and fuel with separate fuel supplies that are anchored to a point, and fired to transfer momentum to the asteroid as calculated. If it rotates - what rate? Assess, and fire only when properly placed. Any rotation would be known and the thrust point optimized for the task. This installation would be re-supplied with fuel and oxidizer on a recurring basis. The whole thing may be manned or robotic if capable. If the asteroid is a gravitational aggregate of gravel, sand, and smaller asteroids - this will not be amenable to a point thrust - it would scatter apart as the inherent gravity would not keep them all together. In that case, a central detonation chosen to direct the path away would be detonated. This would scatter the debris in all directions. The scatter would be observed and the larger bits capable of entrym to the surface tracked. The gravel can be ignored. Larger bits assessed on a case by case basis and tracked, and detonated if possible. One hopes the recent project to assess all near earth objects that might intersect will give 5-10 years of advance warning so that measures can be implemented. Some people have suggested a 'gravitational tug' - mass placed near the body to attract it. This is a dumbass foolish suggestion, since gravity is the weakest force, and and object capable of the task would be in the same orbit as the asteroid and of similar weight (in order to atttract with a meaningful force) - this means it would be a similar threat. Time is what we need. With 10 years warning we can assuredly move a 10 KM asteroid onto a safe path for the initial impact and then progressively move it towards entry into the sun - the safe end point. The decision as to nuclear detonation, chemical detonation and persistent thrust application would be decided on the merits. Persistent thrust is by far the most efficient method.