Cratering tactic could shatter near-Earth asteroids with a buried nuclear blast
TL;DR
Chinese researchers propose burying a nuclear device inside a near-Earth asteroid and detonating it to create a deep crater that alters its path; simulations suggest a 200-bomb Hiroshima-scale blast buried about 30 meters could completely break apart a ~100 m asteroid, and for larger rocks the detonation could yield a delta-v over 30 cm/s—offering a foundation for defence against short-warning asteroids, though practical and safety issues remain.
- Scientists discover most effective way to destroy doomsday asteroid The Independent
- Chinese rocket scientists have modelled the most effective way to nuke a doomsday asteroid, and it is not a blast at the surface: first drill a hole, then bury the bomb about thirty metres down, which their simulations say more than triples the deflection spacedaily.com
- Two-step nuclear detonation proposed for short-notice asteroid threats Interesting Engineering
- How China's new two-stage plan aims to destroy Earth-bound asteroids before impact timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Chinese rocket scientists find ‘most effective’ way to nuke a doomsday asteroid South China Morning Post
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