This area will cover relevant news of the threat to the planet from Near Earth Objects (NEOs) including concepts and designs for mitigation. All opinions are those of the author.

29 December 2005

Gravity Tractor Journal Source

"Gravitational tractor for towing asteroids"
by Edward T. Lu and Stanley G. Love

Nature 438, 177-178 (10 November 2005)

"We present a design concept for a spacecraft that can controllably alter the trajectory of an Earth-threatening asteroid by using gravity as a towline. The spacecraft hovers near the asteroid, with its thrusters angled outwards so that the exhaust does not impinge on the surface. This proposed deflection method is insensitive to the structure, surface properties and rotation state of the asteroid."

Link: Nature Magazine Editor's Summary

Link: Nature Magazine Article Source
Posted by A.C. Charania at 17:19

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