Slashdot Mirror
Air Bags for Planetary Defense
Gallowglass writes "The Canadian paper, the National Post, is reporting on a plan to divert asteroids headed towards Earth. According to the story, the proposer, a Dr. Hermann Burchard, suggests deploying an inflatable mylar bag a few kilometers in size, and using it to push the projectile aside. An air bag for earth? The deployment mechanism isn't detailed in the story."
So that's why Chretien's retiring.
"If he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies, he's sorely mistaken." Bush on bin Laden
...shows that smaller asteroids may experience neck injuries or even death from the fast deploying air-bags.
Does this mean children under the age of twelve shouldn't be allowed in the front seat of planet earth?
to try and figure out how an airbag is supposed to do anything to deflect an asteroid. I eventually inferred that the airbag is like a catcher's mit, connected to huge rockets.
....duh.
The article could have been titled, "Huge rockets could deflect an asteroid"
I think I would still prefer nukes....they're just so much more macho.
Kind thoughts do not change the world
Do you realize how many problems could be solved by energy shields? An energy shield deployed over a building would protect it from planes. An automobile energy shield would prevent car damage in an accident. A personal energy shield would protect you from bullets and other injuries.
And, an earth wide planetary shield would protect us from asteroids!
Scientists of tomorrow, get working on the energy shields! We need them now!
Thank you for your contribution. Now please prepare a report on why, exactly, incoming asteroids would be hot enough to glow. Be prepared to show whether or not that will be relevant at the time that the plastic hits the asteroid.
Thank you,
Your Fifth-Grade science teacher.
How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
...but will the Moon get a passenger airbag?
Science: Most Beautiful Experiment in Physics
Answer: Airbags for Planetary Defence
suggests deploying an inflatable mylar bag a few kilometers in size, and using it to push the projectile aside
No, what we should do is build a giant pool-cue stick and knock another asteroid into the first asteroid, deflecting it into the side pocket.
And exactly how do they intend on getting a giant steering wheel into space?
The global economy is a great thing until you feel it locally.