Past, Present, Future
Plans of Scientists
Introduction
Over the years scientists have been threatened by asteroids. They have explored many ideas but have come to a conclusion. Explosion. In this day and time, we have figured out a different way to this problem.
Explosion
In the past scientists thought that exploding the asteroid would make it trouble-free. What they didn't know is that the debris would fly back to earth. With today's formulas and simulation technology scientists can accurately estimate on how much explosives are needed. With this technology they have concluded that explosions are not effective.
Deflection
In the past, scientists thought that they could deflect the asteroid with a small impact or explosion. This was not effective because they did not have the technology required to calculate such a degree of math. The explosion may have been to weak and send it hurdling towards earth or too strong, exploding it into debris. With the technology we have today, a simulator could be used to guess and check the outcome of the plan.
Electromagnetic Propulsion
Scientists are working on making sails that will move the asteroid by using solar or radiation pressure from the sun. When these sails are placed on the asteroid, it will have the same effect of deflecting the asteroid, but this method has a higher success rate because it does not involve intense calculations. The only calculation is to have a size ratio for the sail to asteroid. A bump in the road is for an astronaut to place and mantle the sail on to the asteroid.