Why do scientists want to launch nuclear weapons into space to save humanity?

Scientists are exploring the possibility of launching nuclear weapons into space to stop the asteroid's potentially destructive path

Scientists are investigating If they can save the Earth With a scenario reminiscent of a disaster science fiction film. A study released this month examines whether it would be possible to launch a nuclear weapon “millions of miles” into space to prevent an asteroid from destroying the planet.

Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed a modeling tool that can evaluate this possibility following a 2022 NASA mission that He successfully redirected a giant space rock.

The new tool, detailed in the Planetary Science Journal, is helping scientists figure out if they really have another option after NASA developed a kinetic impactor, in this case a spacecraft, to knock the 2022 asteroid out of its orbit during the Dual Asteroid Redirect. . DART) task

“If we had enough warning time, we could potentially trigger a nuclear device by beaming it down Millions of miles away on an asteroid headed toward EarthLLNL physicist Mary Berkey, who led the research team, said in a statement.

It has nuclear devices Higher energy density He pointed out that each unit of the kinetic impact device used by the space agency, making it a more effective method against asteroids. When the device contacts the asteroid, there are two possible scenarios. “We will then detonate the device and either neutralize the asteroid, keeping it intact but providing controlled propulsion away from Earth, or we can disable the asteroid, breaking it up into small, fast-moving fragments that will not end up on the planet,” he noted. Berky.

He said the sophisticated multiphysics simulations run by LLNL cover a wide range of factors that will help understand whether the nuclear conversion mission will be successful. If a real threat to Earth occurs, modeling will help decision-makers Determine how to proceed against the asteroid, said Megan Brooke Sell, director of the Planetary Defense Program at LLNL.

“Although the probability of a major asteroid impact in our lifetime is low, the potential consequences could be catastrophic,” he said. But there are risks associated with launching a nuclear weapon on a collision course with an asteroid. An asteroid expert previously told the New York Times that pieces of the exploded asteroid could be large enough to damage Earth. “If experts miscalculate the energy needed to destroy it, They can create many partsDr. Patrick Michel said.