when did it premiere Armageddon in 1998, the option to stop the approach of an asteroid to the Earth seemed impossible beyond fantasy. If one of these celestial objects came close enough to collide, we’d have no choice but to cross our fingers that it wouldn’t be too destructive. However, over time both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) They have developed projects aimed at detecting and stopping such approaches should they occur. So far, the most advanced has been NASA, which has already begun its first tests with DART mission launch. But China he may soon join her on a similar mission; which, if given all the appropriate permissions, can be run in 2025.
How it was collected Global TimesThis new mission was announced last Sunday, April 24, by the Deputy Director of the China National Space Administration, Wu Yanhua. In the same statement, he clarified that they didn’t choose which asteroid to target, but are already looking for someone who could pose a threat to the Earth. They will find a way to distract it, but they will also develop a warning system that could join those already being implemented by other space agencies.
They have not yet received the appropriate permits, so this project is completely in its infancy. However, if all goes according to plan, China could also have its own. darts mission. The truth is that an asteroid impact with Earth is unlikely; but, considering the danger this may present, the more projects prepared to divert him, the better.
asteroid hunters
Both NASA and ESA have compiled a list of what is known as near-Earth objects (NEO for its abbreviation in English). These are celestial objects whose trajectory will pass close to our planet at some point in the future. When it comes to talking about intimacy, it is, of course, done in astronomical terms.
But just because they’re passing by doesn’t mean they’re a real danger. In fact, these lists also include hit probabilitywhich is usually very small. However, it is very important to constantly review and update it. On the other hand, taking into account dimensions these objects. A very small asteroid is not the same as a large one, which would logically spawn more damage.
Just because an asteroid passes close to Earth doesn’t mean it’s likely to collide.
If a large NEO is discovered at any time, with a large hit probabilitythere will be several options. The first one will evacuate the impact zone, but logically this is not the most desirable. Besides, if it was a particularly large asteroid, evacuation would be useless. For this reason, projects such as NASA DART.
It’s a ship launched last November that aims to go to an asteroid that doesn’t really pose a threat to Earth and deflect it as a test. He is expected to reach his goal in October 2022. After in autumn 2024it will be launched in the same direction observation ship Hera, the purpose of which is to analyze the impact of DART on the asteroid. China is planning something similar, although it is still searching for the perfect asteroid for its first function.
China’s plans
China has been developing plans along the lines of NASA and ESA for some time now. In fact, judging by what they say from The Vergein October last year, this country already hosted conferences on planetary defense.
This will be the next step. The step by which the China National Space Administration intends to demonstrate that they can comply with NASA procedure.
But, although this has already begun, China has yet to wait for its project to pass the appropriate examinations. If all goes well, he might run in 2025. At the moment, there is not a single asteroid on the NEO lists that poses a great danger for many years to come, so there seems to be nothing to be afraid of. Could there be a new one? Yes, but the chances are low. There is room for both NASA and ESA, as well as for China.
Source: Hiper Textual
