For the first time, humanity will try to de-orbit a space rock. If the dinosaurs had thought about it, they could still be alive, having avoided the fall of a large asteroid to Earth 66 million years ago.

On Monday evening, the most far-sighted and resourceful people will try to do exactly what we have already seen in science fiction films: deflect an asteroid off course by launching a car-sized DART spacecraft into it like a rocket (Double Asteroid Redirection Test). ) American Space Agency (NASA).

$330 million DART robotic ship with a volume of 550 kg cu. the small satellite Dimorphos (160 meters in diameter) of the larger asteroid Gemini (about 780 meters in diameter). This is the first critical planetary defense “rehearsal” in case such a space rock poses a threat to Earth in the future.

This is the first test of technology to deflect/evade a potentially destructive asteroid. A DART spacecraft colliding with an asteroid at about 22,000 kilometers per hour will seek to use kinetic energy to deflect it slightly from its orbit. Something similar may have to be done in the future with another large asteroid whose orbit is in danger of intersecting our planet’s orbit.

The “bombardment” of Dimorphos, which will destroy DART, is expected to slightly change its orbit (by about 1%) so that it orbits Gemini a little closer and faster. Telescopes from Earth will monitor whether this actually happened.

At the same time, since September 11, DART has already released a small Italian-made LICIACube spacecraft (weighing 14 kg), which will approach Dimorphos at a distance of 55 kilometers and will photograph the consequences of the impact with its cameras. The event will also be monitored by various ground and space telescopes, including James Webb.

The US mission will be followed by the European Space Agency (ESA) HERA mission, during which a German-made spacecraft, accompanied by two microsatellites (cubesats Milani and Juventas) will be sent to Gemini and Dimorphos for closer study and observation. the crater to be created, as well as other DART impact effects. HERA is expected to launch in 2024 and reach the asteroid and its moon in late 2026.

If DART fails to find its target, it will have enough fuel to give it another chance in two years to try another space rock again. The Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is responsible for this mission.

It should be noted that China is also preparing a similar planetary defense mission to the asteroid Bennu in 2026.

NASA TV and ESA TV will broadcast the DART strike live, as well as on NASA social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube).

Source: RES