Scientists Are Trying to Develop a Spacecraft to Guard Earth Against Asteroids

We’ve nearly become creators with our aggressive research and development in tissue engineering, now scientists at Stevenage Space Company, EADS Astrium with the European Space Agency are becoming saviors. The team of scientists here is developing a spacecraft which relying on the force of gravity would stop large asteroids from destroying the Earth.

The 10 tonne “gravity tractor” would be made to reflect any kind of orbiting rock years before it can affect the Earth. With the number of asteroids and other such dispersed rock in space, we need something to defend us against them. Dr Ralph Cordey, who is EADS Astrium’s head says:

Frankly I thought it was crackers. I thought it would never work

but addressing the concerned issues it is thought a feasible project now.

Though the prototypes have not yet been made, but it is supposed that the device will be solar powered. Intercepting asteroids from just 48 meters away, using the gravitational force the spacecraft would attract it towards itself and will then deflect it with itself into a different orbit than the Earth’s, thus doing the savior act.

Source: BBC