Spacecraft's impact changed asteroid's orbit in a save-the-Earth test
4 days ago
- #Space
- #NASA
- #Asteroid
- NASA's Dart spacecraft successfully changed the orbit of an asteroid, Dimorphos, around the sun in a test to divert potential future threats to Earth.
- The impact reduced the asteroid's solar orbit time by 0.15 seconds and shrank its orbit by 720 meters, demonstrating the feasibility of asteroid deflection.
- The mission showed that even a small deflection can significantly alter an asteroid's path over time, preventing potential future impacts.
- Debris from the impact provided additional momentum, effectively doubling the push on Dimorphos compared to the spacecraft alone.
- The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft will further study the impact's aftermath when it arrives at the asteroids in November.
- The targeted asteroid system, consisting of Dimorphos and Didymos, was chosen because it poses no threat to Earth, ensuring safety during the test.