Experts suggest that an asteroid could come alarmingly close to Earth in 2036, warranting the United Nations to take charge of a mission designed to deflect it, according to a cohort of astronauts, engineers, and scientists.
The asteroid, weighing 20 million tonnes, might be on a collision course with Kamchatkans and Venezuelans. Californians are particularly concerned, as the likelihood of the asteroid striking the Pacific Ocean could lead to a tsunami devastating the west coast of North America.
Calculations indicate that the asteroid would hit along a narrow trajectory extending from Siberia to the western African coast. Astronomers are currently keeping an eye on Apophis, the asteroid which has a 1 in 45,000 chance of colliding with Earth on April 13, 2036.
While the probability of this specific asteroid hitting Earth is low, a recent congressional directive for NASA to enhance its near-Earth asteroid tracking is anticipated to reveal hundreds, if not thousands, of potentially hazardous space rocks shortly, according to former astronaut Rusty Schweickart.
“We’re not solely focused on Apophis. Every nation faces danger. Establishing a set of universal guidelines to address this matter is essential,” stated Schweickart, who was part of the Apollo 9 crew that orbited the Earth in March 1969.
The Association of Space Explorers, composed of former astronauts and cosmonauts, plans to continue conducting high-level workshops to devise a strategy and present a formal proposal to the UN.
The preferred method for countering a possibly catastrophic asteroid is to send a spacecraft that utilizes gravitational force to change its trajectory, thereby eliminating the threat to Earth, explained astronaut Ed Lu, a seasoned participant in the International Space Station missions.
The proposed Gravity Tractor would position itself near the threatening asteroid, providing a gentle pull that, over time, would divert its path. An asteroid like Apophis, measuring approximately 460 feet in length, would require around 12 days of gravitational manipulation for redirection.
by David Livingstone
