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asteroid

Humanity might not be prophylactic even if nosotros tackle challenges like global climatic change and perpetual war. An asteroid could fall out of the sky and knock us dorsum into the stone age, or worse, end our cursory reign on this planet. NASA and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are working on a new spacecraft design that could potentially deflect a dangerous asteroid before that happens. The arts and crafts is chosen "HAMMER," and it does what the name implies.

HAMMER, which stands for Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response, has two modes. In its preferred mode of operation, it would act as an impactor that collides with the asteroid to gently nudge it off course, so it doesn't hit the planet. If there's not enough time for that, HAMMER's other selection is to detonate a nuclear weapon in guild to destroy or deflect the object. That's where the NNSA's interest is key.

In a new study, NASA used the asteroid Bennu as a hypothetical exam for the HAMMER program. The bureau's OSIRIS-Rex mission is closing in on the infinite rock with the aim of collecting a sample from its surface after this twelvemonth. Researchers used the trajectory calculations of OSIRIS-REx for the hypothetical HAMMER mission. This wasn't just a shortcut for the sake of sending fourth dimension. In that location's a pocket-sized 1-in-2,700 gamble that Bennu could collide with Earth in 2035. The 1,600 foot (487 meters), 74 billion pound (33.five billion kilograms) space rock would produce a 1.fifteen gigaton explosion if it struck Earth. That's well-nigh 23 times larger than the most powerful hydrogen bomb e'er detonated, and information technology's far from the biggest asteroid out in that location.

Each HAMMER spacecraft would counterbalance eight.eight tons. With a planned impact speed of 22,000 miles per hr, it could impart a lot of force. Yet, one probe isn't going to deflect even a modestly sized asteroid like Bennu. NASA suggests deploying a small-scale fleet of HAMMER probes in the path of an Asteroid. Over the course of multiple impacts, the asteroid slows down slightly, and its orbital trajectory bends toward the dominicus. Co-ordinate to the study, this would be enough to steer Bennu abroad from an World bear upon.

If nosotros don't know about an impact years in accelerate, it might be impossible to alter the asteroid'south course early plenty. That's why HAMMER also has a nuclear mode. The analysis says current Us nuclear weapons are sufficiently powerful to knock an object similar Bennu off course. Overall efficacy won't be clear until we become a closer look at Bennu's makeup. OSIRIS-REx will evangelize a sample to Earth in 2023.