Assessing Asteroid Threat

Makarand writes "According to a proposal submitted to the European Space Agency a fleet of five mini-probes should be sent each targeting an asteroid considered potentially dangerous. The mission objective will be to learn more about dangerous near earth objects so that we can plan how best to respond when under threat. Once in space, the probes would use ion propulsion engines that provide thrust by shooting out a stream of electrically charged particles. Power for the ion engines would be provided by ultra-lightweight solar arrays. Each probe will carry instrumentation to learn about the physical and chemical make-up of the target. The mission would cost around $150 mil which is quite low according to space mission standards."

Comments

Anyone else run into this problem?

[HarveyBirdman]

After watching the news or reading a paper, I find myself rooting for the asteroids.

Re:Anyone else run into this problem?

[angel'o'sphere]

Not that I take your question serious ....

But as moderator I would not know if I would moderate it TROLL or FUNNY. Allas, yesterday one said: there are no stupid questions, only stupid people. I would say: stupid answers ...

So: no, pushing an asteroid into the sun gives no fuel at all.

Asteroids are mode from rock, or coal or metals like iron and nicle. Some are made from iridium and gold and platin etc. Of course mixtures are happening as well.

The sun is burning H2 (hydrogen)to He (helium), and in later stages (in some billion years) also He to C or N (not sure, need to look up :-) )

At some point fusion, the merging of two low weight nucli, yields no more energy. (Uranium gives energy by splitting/fission, H gives energy by merging/fusion)

Most material in asteroids are to heavy to support a fusion process or are to heavy to even yield energy in a fusion process.

So moving asteroids into the sun only gives a nice firework on the surfae(if at all).

angel'o'sphere

Armageddon

[beaucfus]

I am not worried, Bruce Willis will save us.

hey!

[Joe the Lesser]

I thought I fixed this problem years ago with my Atari!

optimistic fools!

[new death barbie]

Only an optimist wuld believe that the U.N would commit to a path of aggression, until all diplomatic options had been exhausted. The asteroids must be convinced to disarm themselves.

Re:optimistic fools!

[pe1rxq]

No, just let Mr. Laden say that muslims should strike back with terrorist attacks if the asteroids are harmed. According to Mr Powell that is enough evidence to send the entire US army to 'disarm' the asteroids.

Solution looking for a problem

[Gothmolly]

Some VC has a Neat Idea, which nobody wants. Is that his fault, no! Who will buy it - Governments, they can print as much money as they need. Of course this was done in Europe, their monopoly-money machines work better than in the US (Russia has no money, monopoly or otherwise).

Here's how you really get rid of an asteroid:
Insert used ICBM into Space Shuttle (or equivalent)
Place ICBM and suitable launch device into LOE.
Aim ICBM at the place where the asteroid will be when it gets there.
Press the button that we've wanted to push for so long. Sell tickets, I'm sure the Russians would want to attend - maybe a joint "button pushing" ceremony? Heck, bring the Chinese and N.Koreans in too.
Watch as ICBM blows up asteroid.
Profit!
(Part where it ushers in a new sense of global peace and brotherhood is optional)

We need to institute an advisory system

[Strike]

Like the one seen here. :)

In other news ...

[Xthlc]

...NASA proposes a $300 million project to build a gigantic "Welcome to Earth! We value our children, please abduct safely!" sign on the moon. This is to remind alien vacationers (who come speedin' down that local group highway like nobody's business) to slow down a spell, and think carefully before they start carrying off our kids and probing them.

Seriously, does anyone else think this is a waste of resources? Give that $150 million to Highlift for Pete's sake...

Different types of object?

[spakka]

Each Simone spacecraft will have instruments designed to examine the physical and chemical make-up of its target asteroid. It is hoped the missions will help scientists predict the risk posed by asteroids and develop effective strategies for dealing with different types of object.

What properties, other than mass and trajectory, are of interest? It's not like they're going to find harmless ones made out of rubber or whatever.

Simon says

[QEDog]

"The asteroid mission has been named Simone (Smallsat Intercept Missions to Objects Near Earth)."

Pretty smart using Simon to stop the asteroid... "Simon says jump on one foot. Simon says don't hit the Earth..."

Next on /. how to save Earth from an Alien attack using the Hockey-Pockey

so what they're telling us

[Anonymous Coward]

IMO, is that an asteroid that's on a collision course for Earth has been detected and they're leaking it in various ways to news reporters.

A more down to earth kind of approach.

[zokum]

Instead of changing the orbit of the asteroid, why not simply change the orbit of the earth. All that is needed is the entire Chinese population jumping. Once we have safely avoided the asteroid, someone on the other side of the earth can nudge it back in place with some additional jumping, we might even improve the orbit a tad while we're at it. Obviously this is cheaper, more enviroment friendly and whole lot more "down to earth" than the proposed ICBM plans.