Planetary Guardians: Current Measures For Asteroid Defense

Introduction

Asteroids are celestial objects that have been roaming our solar system since the beginning of time. They are also called planet-crossing or Earth-crossing asteroids because their orbits intersect with that of the Earth. The impact of an asteroid on Earth, whether from a collision or an explosion, can cause devastating consequences such as tsunamis, wildfires, and even the extinction of species. As such, it is crucial to develop measures to defend the planet from the impact of these space rocks. In this article, we will examine some of the current measures put in place by planetary guardians to protect our planet from asteroids.

Current Measures for Asteroid Defense

The Sentinel Space Telescope

The Sentinel Space Telescope is a near-Earth asteroid hunter designed to detect and track asteroids that pose a potential threat to Earth. It is a joint project of the B612 Foundation, NASA, and the Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. The telescope will be placed in the orbit around the Sun and will be capable of detecting asteroids as small as 140 meters across at a distance of 1 AU (astronomical unit) from Earth. The Sentinel Space Telescope is scheduled to launch in 2024 and will provide early warnings of potentially hazardous asteroids, allowing planetary guardians to take necessary measures to deflect them.

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission

The DART mission is a collaborative effort between NASA and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. It aims to test the kinetic impactor technique, which involves impacting an asteroid with a spacecraft to change its trajectory. The DART mission will target the binary asteroid system Didymos, which consists of a primary asteroid and a smaller moonlet. The spacecraft will impact the moonlet at a speed of approximately 6 km/s, changing its orbital velocity by a fraction of a percent. The DART mission is currently scheduled to launch in November 2021.

The Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) Mission

The AIDA mission is a joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. It consists of two spacecraft: ESA's Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM) and NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). The AIM spacecraft will study the target asteroid before and after the impact, while the DART spacecraft will carry out the kinetic impactor demonstration. The AIDA mission aims to test the effectiveness of the kinetic impactor technique in deflecting an asteroid and provide valuable data for future asteroid defense missions. The AIDA mission is currently scheduled to launch in 2022.

Plans for Future Asteroid Defense

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is a proposed gravitational wave observatory that will be placed in space. In addition to studying gravitational waves, LISA will be capable of detecting and tracking asteroids that pass near Earth. The spacecraft will use laser interferometry to measure the distance between three identical spacecraft, enabling them to detect the gravitational pull of passing asteroids. The LISA mission is currently in the planning stage.

The Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response (HAMMER)

The Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response (HAMMER) is a proposed spacecraft that could intercept and deflect potentially hazardous asteroids. HAMMER would be equipped with a nuclear warhead and would be sent on a collision course with the asteroid. The nuclear explosion would create a shockwave that would deflect the asteroid from its collision course with Earth. However, this method has raised concerns about the potential environmental and political consequences of using nuclear weapons in space.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How likely is an asteroid impact?

  The chances of an asteroid impacting Earth are relatively low compared to other natural disasters. However, the consequences of such an impact could be catastrophic, and as such, measures must be taken to mitigate the risk.

• How do we know if an asteroid is a threat?

  Asteroid hunters use telescopes and computer models to predict the trajectory of asteroids and determine whether they pose a potential threat to Earth.

• Can we stop an asteroid from hitting Earth?

  While there is no foolproof method to stop an asteroid from hitting Earth, measures such as the kinetic impactor technique and nuclear deflection could potentially deflect asteroids from their collision course.

• What happens if an asteroid hits Earth?

  The impact of an asteroid on Earth could cause tsunamis, wildfires, and even a global extinction event. The consequences of an impact would depend on the size and composition of the asteroid and the location of impact.

• Why is planetary defense important?

  Planetary defense is crucial to protect our planet from potential threats such as asteroid impacts. By developing measures to defend against these threats, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.

Conclusion

Planetary guardians are working tirelessly to develop measures to protect our planet from potential asteroid impacts. The Sentinel Space Telescope, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, and the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) mission are just a few of the current measures being put in place. While there is no foolproof method to stop an asteroid from hitting Earth, these measures provide hope and a path forward. We must continue to invest in asteroid defense to ensure the safety and well-being of our planet.

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Additional Resources

• NASA Planetary Defense
• B612 Foundation
• ESA Planetary Defense Mission

Bracing For Impact: Tools For Asteroid Detection And Diversion

Planetary Protectors: Our Fight Against Asteroids

Shielding The Skies: Strategies For Asteroid Defense

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