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Could we prevent the collision of a NEO?
Deflecting an asteroid or comet is not just science fiction. In simple terms, they are only large masses moving on a particular course in space. They could therefore be deflected from this course by applying force in an appropriate direction. Moving an asteroid or a comet is relatively straightforward in principle and they do not have to be deflected by far to prevent a collision since the Earth only has a radius of just under 7000 km.
Many past and current science missions have encountered (Giotto - comet Halley) or in the case of the NEAR mission, flown with and landed on an asteroid (Eros). These have demonstrated the key ability to meet with such bodies in space. NASA’s planned Deep Impact mission is scheduled to send a non-explosive impactor into comet 9P/Tempe1 around 2005. The basic elements of a deflection mission will then have been demonstrated.
Whilst scientists have been studying how to deflect a NEO, and space missions to test the theory are being designed, the first task in protecting the Earth from impacts is in finding and tracking asteroids and comets. The more warning we have of a collision the easier it will be to deflect a hazardous object.
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How do we search for NEOs?
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