Scientists in China have developed a new plan to protect planet Earth in the event of a giant asteroid being detected on a collision course, posing a significant risk to the existence of civilization. In such critical situations, the best approach is nuclear detonation, either to pulverize the space rock or to quickly modify its orbit.
This conclusion emerges from a study published in the journal Space: Science & Technology by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The article suggests that the proposed method may be the only viable one to avoid a catastrophe, depending on the time available until the imminent impact.
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Proposed methods to contain dangerous asteroids
Based on defense technology for large asteroids approaching Earth, the team outlined two ways to stop a threatening celestial object: direct impact detonation or flyby detonation with pre-excavation. The authors indicate that the second alternative is the most recommended.
- In this scenario, the mission would have the autonomy to select the point of the crater and carry out a deep detonation, penetrating the rock and releasing considerably more energy, which amplifies the effects of the explosion.
- Such a procedure would allow the complete destruction of asteroids up to 100 meters in diameter, according to the investigation, eliminating any danger to the planet.
- For larger celestial bodies, such as those measuring 1 kilometer or more, the solution has the ability to change their trajectory to a safe route, moving them away from Earth.
- In relation to larger objects, the research emphasizes the need to detect the possibility of impact years in advance for adequate mission planning.
Despite the encouraging results, the researchers warn that the proposal is based on simulations. To date, the only technique tested in practice has been NASA’s DART mission, which managed to change the orbit of the small asteroid Dimorphos in 2022 after a scheduled collision.
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The implementation of real missions based on the Chinese plan requires the consideration of several factors, such as the composition of the celestial body and the precision in calculating the trajectory of fragments resulting from a partial explosion. The complexity of safely transporting nuclear warheads through space represents one of the additional challenges.
Impact of alert time on strategy choice
Study participants also pointed out that the selection of a strategy to save the Earth from asteroid impacts is directly influenced by the period of time available to prepare the mission. Scenarios were simulated with deadlines ranging from one to twenty years until the collision.
While pre-excavation of the space rock to position the bomb in a deeper area requires long-term warning, detonation in a shallow crater, with direct impact on the object, is the choice when time is limited. This technique is simpler, requires fewer preparation steps and allows for a more agile launch.
However, this method does not offer the possibility of choosing the exact location of the detonation, and the energy coupling is relatively weak, which could compromise the effectiveness of the mission, as explained by the authors. Therefore, the proposal requires continuous improvements for its application in real-world situations.