Tag: planetary defense

Technology

Saving Earth from asteroids to microbes: Planetary Protection Vs Planetary Defense

We all have been hearing about the terms planetary protection and planetary defense being used by the official in a different yet similar manner. But do you actually know what they mean and how researchers and astronomers used these terms?Both of the terms include “planetary” so their meanings and behaviours must be comparable. However, this is the only resemblance between them; their distinct responsibilities are what set them apart. They have very different outlooks in terms of the agency's role in protecting Earth, and other planets as well. “These similar sounding efforts are often confused in the media and in casual conversation,” said Nick Benardini, NASA Planetary Protection Officer. “Both seek to protect Earth from potentially hazardous space threats, but otherwise they could n...
Technology

Change asteroid orbit one scoop at a time to save Earth? Forget NASA DART? Shocking answer here

An asteroid can be a serious threat to Earth. In fact, it can be a catastrophic event based on how big it is. Therefore, it is urgent and necessary to tackle the threat posed by asteroids that may crash into our planet and this can be done by finding ways to alter the asteroid's orbit and make it move away from Earth. NASA has tried that by crashing a spacecraft against an asteroid and successfully moved it from its orbit. Now, a company has come up with an ingenious solution.A California-based nonprofit organization is looking to meet this threat by designing a new asteroid deflection system that would use the space rock's own regolith to change its trajectory away from Earth. “We were looking at objects of similar size [to the Chelyabinsk asteroid that occurred in 2013] that could to...
Technology

Planetary defense: How can the Earth be protected from SCARY asteroid strikes?

It is undeniable that the potential impact of an asteroid strike ranks among the most significant natural hazards we face. Similar to the event that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, a single asteroid collision has the capability to annihilate all life on Earth. NASA acknowledges this risk and therefore carried out its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in 2022. But that is just one part of a huge network different space agencies are either working on or have built up to protect us from any incoming space rocks.But before getting into planetary defense, we must understand the threat of asteroids. The Earth is surrounded by asteroids, the majority of which come from the asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. As per latest data, NASA tracks abou...
Technology

BEWARE! 65-foot asteroid set to get dangerously close to Earth today, warns NASA

NASA warns that a 65-foot wide asteroid will be coming dangerously close to the Earth today, November 26. Know the consequences that a gigantic asteroid has. When it comes to space, both exploration and protection is equally important for scientists and space agencies. That is why before the Artemis-1 mission, which is aiming to send crewed spacecraft back to the Moon to explore its polar region, NASA took up the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) where a spacecraft was used to change the path of an asteroid. And the reason this test was done was because of many asteroids which threaten the Earth with their potential to destroy cities and even countries. One such asteroid will be paying a visit to the Earth today itself, November 26. Read on to know whether an asteroid strike is...
Technology

75-foot asteroid set to get dangerously close to Earth today, reveals NASA

NASA says that a 75-foot wide asteroid will be coming dangerously close to the Earth today, November 19. Know the consequences that this huge asteroid has. After multiple failed attempts, NASA was finally able to launch the Artemis 1 Moon rocket successfully. The mission is going to be the precursor before the American space agency sends crewed spacecraft to the Moon again. But while we are creating milestones in space exploration, the same space has become a source of terror for us. The threat comes from these asteroids that approach the Earth at dangerously close distances. They can easily get pulled in by the gravitational force of the Earth, strike our planet and cause massive destruction. Today, November 19, this threat comes from a 75-foot wide asteroid which will be coming ver...
Technology

Researchers concerned at proliferation of commercial satellites in Earth’s low orbit- Check survey

Scientists and researchers are concerned about the proliferation of tens of thousands of commercial satellites in Earth’s low orbit. A large number of satellites in the future could interfere with work to discover near-Earth or Earthbound asteroids and comets. Here is what the survey shows. Space is full of objects including planets, asteroids, meteors. As earth has a gravitational force it even attracts or pulls objects that are nearby hence leading to asteroids, meteors, among others entering the planet's atmosphere. However, what can be noted here is that not every object heading towards Earth is able to hit its surface, however, they can still be dangerous. Therefore, research organisations keep an eye on the objects t...