NASA prepared to tackle asteroid

You say that again smacks of Hollywood, but American scientists continue to practice in an attempt to find ways of fighting such space objects like asteroids. One of the latest developments in this direction was the project hypersonic interceptor for asteroids (HAIV). This project was born in the depths of the institution as a research center of reflection asteroids (in the U.S. there is such), working at the University of Iowa. The program itself is implemented as part of a large research program of NASA.

There is evidence that the hypervelocity interceptor asteroids selected from 30 similar projects. Now the project will receive funding and, therefore, can become a reality. Since the first phase (preliminary) research has already passed, but now developers must proceed to the second phase.

It is reported that he hypersonic interceptor consists of a pair of satellites, which are integrated with each other and this will run onto rocket into space. In the vicinity of the asteroid devices are disconnected, and then one of the devices down on the surface of the carrier on the expanses of the universe of small celestial body. Next - a trick: the first unit will announce its second location on the asteroid makes its surface "hole", which should get a second device that carries a charge. In this charge, according to experts of the Research Center, will be fusion.

Explosion should be such as to an asteroid or gone on a different trajectory, or crumbled into pieces.

Why the two devices need to blow the asteroid - first it was not clear, but then the same experts explained that because efficiency of the explosion will be higher. Need it to the surface of the funnel to fold increased power of the explosion.

The implementation of such a project requires additional development. Today, no machine can reach speeds up to 30 km / s, which is needed to "attack" the asteroid. But you still need to think about how such a giant thermonuclear charge rate to bring in one piece. Would not the dispersal rockets from such a charge on board the "big bathe" on the surface of the Earth, and what is the guarantee that the pieces of the exploded asteroid will not fly with triple force in the direction of the planet?

That is the solution of these problems and will be devoted to a new stage of the research project HAIV.