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how Nasa intends to capture an asteroid ?


Prince*Jedi

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Indeed. The simplest scenario would be that the asteroid is moving along a linear path, but the problem is applying enough froce from the thrusters to stop it. One may apply force over longer period of time to affectively stop the asteroid but we all know that the path of a astronomical object tends to be orbital so then the force would have to be diverged from a linear force - and this is where it gets ugly lol. Oh and just going back to applying a force over longer time - how much fuel would you then need lol.

 

For those interested have a read - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum

They probably have to find something else to use instead of fuel. Also it only needs to be reduced to a speed where it can orbit the earth, correct?

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They probably have to find something else to use instead of fuel. Also it only needs to be reduced to a speed where it can orbit the earth, correct?

It is definitely possible to computationaly project the trajectory but the major problem is, like you said, fuel/thrust to produce enough force to alter the path/momentum of the asteroid.

 

It is indeed a good idea, in theory, but in practise its a totally differnt ball game I'm afraid.

 

Current rocket thrust mechanism would not suffice - maybe NASA is already working on ion thrust drives hehehehe.

Edited by Death_Reincarnated
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It is definitely possible to computationaly project the trajectory but the major problem is, like you said, fuel/thrust to produce enough force to alter the path/momentum of the asteroid.

 

It is indeed a good idea, in theory, but in practise its a totally differnt ball game I'm afraid.

 

Current rocket thrust mechanism would not suffice - maybe NASA is already working on ion thrust drives hehehehe.

Well I don't think they would be able to take up enough fuel for rockets to work. But if they could, than rockets would have enough power to do it I think.

 

Everything has to be theory first ;)

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What if they want to use it as a weapon? Small asteroid hits a Moscow (for example) and no one suspects USA.

 

 

there is an international treaty that says they won't have weapons in space. 

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