Space. With NASA, these Toulouse researchers will deviate the trajectory of an asteroid
By Lucie Fraisse
Published on
The impact must take place on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, around 1:15 a.m. French time. At that time, a missile probe will hit theasteroid Dimorphos, in an attempt to change its trajectory. A scenario worthy of the best science fiction blockbusters that has everything real. But also a world first and the fulfillment of a mission received several months ago by the NASA, awith the support of researchers from theIsae-Supaeroa Toulouse.
planetary defense mission
The space systems research team for planetology and its applications from Isae-Supaero is indeed associated with this planetary defense mission. The dart mission is an experiment that should help humanity protect itself from a potential collision of an asteroid with planet Earth in the future.
The NASA missile probe took off from Florida in November 2021, at aboard a SpaceX rocket. The impact of Dart on Dimorphos, this Tuesday, September 27, should not only deviate the trajectory of the asteroid, but also make it possible to better characterize it. And it is on this aspect that Toulouse researchers are expected.
Peculiarities of the crater created by the impact
“We are developing space and research instruments to understand the birth of planets and asteroids,” explains Naomi Murdoch, researcher at Isae-Supaero. “We are using data from the Dart mission to better understand the physical characteristics of the asteroid Dimorphos. This will allow better interpretation of the results of Dart’s impact on the asteroid. »
The Isae-Supaero researchers will thus be interested in the specificities of the crater improved by the impact of Dart on the asteroid.
They will also do so as part of the Hera mission, during European Dart, which will follow in a second phase, in 2024.
Ability to evacuate asteroids
“By combining the data described by Dart and Hera, we will be able to transform the data of the experiment into a technique of planetary defense”, explains Naomi Murdoch. “With this program on testing our ability to deflect asteroids. »
If at present, no asteroid threatens the planet, more than 27,500 asteroids are presumed to be near Earth. Missions Dart and Hera should enable the development of techniques to best protect against them.
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