Distributed-Energy Blasting for NEO Destruction

Author

Leslie S. Gertsch, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Jason Baird, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Paul Nicholas Worsey

Abstract

Large-scale blasting techniques developed for terrestrial construction and mining could, if applied to a threatening NEO, ensure that it would be transformed into fragments too small (10-30 meters) to survive passage through Earth's atmosphere. Additionally, this approach could impart appropriate impulses to the NEO that its impact is prevented, or, if fragmented, that fewer resulting fragments would impact Earth. This approach also would be responsive to ongoing characterization of the NEO, and to its certain departures from an ideal spherical, homogeneous, continuous, linearly elastic mass.

Recommended Citation

L. S. Gertsch et al., "Distributed-Energy Blasting for NEO Destruction," NASA NEO Detection, Characterization and Mitigation Workshop, pp. 1 - 10, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Jan 2006.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Second Department

Mining Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Near Earth Objects; Large Scale Blasts

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2006 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2006