NASA Could Land a Probe on Asteroid That May Hit Earth
Asteroid 1999 RQ36, which has a one-in-1,000 chance of hitting the Earth before the year 2200, would cause an explosion equivalent to hundreds of nuclear bombs detonating at once. An analysis of its orbit has predicted that it is most likely to hit us on September 24, 2182 but scientists want to collect a sample of the rock to help forecast its trajectory more accurately. If Nasa gives the plan the green light, the spacecraft would blast off in 2106 to map out and collect rock samples from the asteroid, which is 1,800 feet-wide. The planned mission, called OSIRIS-Rex, is one of three finalists in competition for funding as part of the cash-strapped US space agency’s New Frontiers program. The other contenders are missions to the Moon and to Venus respectively and the winner will be announced next year. Plans to land an astronaut on an asteroid will come under discussion at a two-day Nasa workshop in Washington DC starting on Tuesday. Nasa has officially classified RQ36 as a ‘potentially hazardous asteroid’ as it passes within about 280,000 miles of Earth. Its orbit, which brings it closer to Earth, makes it easier to reach than other asteroids.
