Russian researchers believe that a nuclear explosion caused very close to a dangerous asteroid remains the most effective method of amending its trajectory and impact avoidance. Although nuclear weapons currently are prohibited in space, in an emergency, such prohibitions will be left aside, according to the Center for Research in scientific and engineering community from Russia, quotes RT.
Researchers believe that the surest way to influence an asteroid’s orbit is in space and nowhere close to Terra. Russian experts also believe that everything must be done in such a way that the asteroid may not disintegrate into smaller pieces. The blast would force altering the trajectory to a safe area.
NEOShield is a project that was precisely designed against anything that could threaten our existence and to avoid a fate similar to that of dinosaurs. It was founded largely by the European Commission and brought together researchers from Germany, France, Spain, Britain, Russia and America. TsNIIMash has actively participated in the construction of the NEOShield project. The Institute is part of Rokosmos Russian space agency specializing in the development of ballistic missiles, defense and propulsion units.
The Russian federal space program includes the establishment of a space center dedicated to the potential threats of asteroids and comets. Four Nebosvod-S (Welkin) satellites will be sent to monitor potential threats.Two of them will be planetary sentries on a circumterrestrial orbit and two others will be delivered to Earth’s circumsolar orbit.
NASA is actively involved in finding ways to protect the Earth too. In December 2015, the Russian Minister of Emergencies reported there will be 11 occasions where the large asteroid will reach close to Earth in the next 35 years. The closest it’s expected on October 12, 2016, when the asteroid 2012 TC4, 17 metres in diameter, will pass near the Earth through the lunar orbit at a distance of 115,000 kilometres, i.e. less than one-third of the earth-moon distance.