Spacecraft army or nukes? Nasa reveals strategy against ‘planet killer’ asteroids – Times of India
In a major step to safeguard Earth from potential catastrophe, Nasa has released its strategy to counter "planet killer" asteroids, drawing inspiration from the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.The plan outlined in Nasa's National Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan for Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and Hazards, details a multi-pronged approach to defend against dangerous NEOs.The plan: Spacecraft armies or nukes?While there is no immediate asteroid threat, Nasa is preparing for worst-case scenarios. One option involves sending a "1,000-strong army" of spacecraft to intercept and deflect a large asteroid hurtling toward Earth. In more extreme cases, Nasa is considering a nuclear solution—echoing the plot of the 1998 film "Armageddon"—where a nuclear device w...