Topic: NEO asteroid deflection experiment.

[Nemesis]

Mission rationale

It has been acknowledged by the scientific community that NEO may represent a hazard to Earth. Although the probability of a big impact is very small, for the first time in human history we have the means of avoiding such a catastrophic event. But it is essential that we improve our knowledge of asteroids. We must know in detail the internal structure of asteroids, and how they respond to impacts before we can design effective mitigation methods.

Seismic tomography is one of the possible ways of investigating the interior of planetery and small bodies. Seismic waves resulting by both the impact of Hidalgo and the detonation of small explosive devices will be recorded by seismometers.Seismologyis an effective technique, already used by the Apollo astronauts to study the Moon interior more than thirty years ago. It is also used everyday on Earth to look for minerals, gas and oil. Technology exchange in this area could benefit applications both down here and in space.

Mission objectives

The mission has a very high scientific value, but it will also help in testing technologies required for future deflection missions and raise interest in people for space exploration. The mission will in particular:

    * measure the mass of the asteroid, the ratio of the moments of inertia and the low order harmonics of its gravity field.
    * model the asteroid shape before and after the impact, to detect changes (if any).
    * determine the asteroid internal structure, especially the size the main solid pieces, the average particle size and thickness of regolith and of the debris layers in the space left between the main pieces.
    * constrain the mechanical properties of the asteroid material.
    * measure the orbital deflection of the asteroid as a result of the impact of Hidalgo
    * measure the asteroid rotation state before and immediately after the impact.
    * detect the dissipation of the non-principal axis rotation after the impact.
    * determine the asteroid large scale mineralogical composition.

[Stormbringer]

Outstanding good job reporting this. I've been watching the science sites but nothing interesting for a while as of yesterday that is.

[Nemesis]

Outstanding good job reporting this. I've been watching the science sites but nothing interesting for a while as of yesterday that is.

Before Praxis jumps up and starts his chanting (did he make the transfer?) I did find it on slashdot. 

Just like the laser launch story that I am about to post.   

[Stormbringer]

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