[ExI] Asteroid on track for possible Mars hit

[Stefano Vaj]

On Dec 22, 2007 11:40 AM, Eugen Leitl <eugen at leitl.org> wrote:

> You'd need to launch the bird (that doesn't exist) NOW in order that
> it can intercept and deflect (by assymetric ablation, perhaps a series
> of such) the impactor weeks to months before impact. The earlier you'd
> get him, the less deflection you'll need.
>
> We don't have any such standby capabilities right now. It wouldn't be
> necessarily that expensive, given that you'd have to accelerate a payload
> of less than 100 kg, potentially much less than 100 kg, if it's just
> a naked fusion device sans guidance but a detonator. Can we do such
> precision shots right now? Delta-v is probably 10 km/s at least.
>

I think a NEO threat would be a good opportunity to see an Orion eventually
flying...

Stefano Vaj
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