[ExI] Asteroid on track for possible Mars hit

[David Lubkin]

Suppose we move to space without MNT, e.g., something like the G. 
Harry Stine vision of space industrialization -- asteroid mining, 
solar power satellites, etc.

What would be the optimal solutions for the Mars scenario, given time 
to prepare and pre-position space-based planetary defense assets?

If we have enough advance notice, the obvious answer would be to view 
it as found wealth. Land on it, and use the technologies we use to 
bring nickel-iron asteroids from the Belt to our vicinity to steer it 
to somewhere more convenient than planetary impact.

For short notice, what would you use? The same nuclear missile 
approach? Direct a whopping big space-based laser at it? Pummel it 
with a stream from a (lunar) mass driver?


-- David.