Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

ESA Selects Targets for Asteroid Deflection Test

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the these-aren't-your-grandfather's-windmills dept.

Vandil X writes "The European Space Agency has announced that it has selected two candidate asteroid targets for a planned mission to impact an asteroid in an attempt to deflect the asteroid off course by a measurable amount. The mission, dubbed "Don Quijote," will send two spacecraft to their final choice asteroid. One craft will impact the asteroid while the other will observe the asteroid before and after the collision. The mission craft and target selection are expected to be finalized sometime in 2007."

6 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. are we sure about that? by layer3switch · · Score: 0, Redundant

    we can't even project to Moon without gravitation force guiding our way, how are we to know which way the detered astroid will head toward after?

    Are we that competent already?

    Doesn't sound like a brilight idea to push rocks around in the space...

    --
    "Don't let fools fool you. They are the clever ones."
  2. Re:Something wrong with p? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Wasn't written using vector notation :P

  3. It would truly be ironic... by Chabil+Ha' · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It would truly be ironic of the test actually put the asteroid on a collision course for earth. Wouldn't that be great...

    --
    We're all hypocrites. We all have hidden parts, it's the contrast between them that make us more a hypocrite than others
  4. Wouldn't it be ironic... by Chabil+Ha' · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Wouldn't it be ironic if the test actually put the asteroid on a collision course with Earth. That would be great...

    --
    We're all hypocrites. We all have hidden parts, it's the contrast between them that make us more a hypocrite than others
  5. Final Irony at its Greatest by Namronorman · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Wouldn't it be kind of ironic if they test this with an asteroid or similar object that is not on a collision path with our planet, it messes up, then it IS on course torwards Earth?

    That would kind of suck, atleast I think so anyways.

    --
    $fortune
    Tomorrow has been canceled due to lack of interest.
  6. Careful! by Venkata+Prasad · · Score: 0, Redundant

    hope they make sure that the deflected asteriod won't come towards earth :)