The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is known as a US space mission that aims to create a defense mechanism against near-Earth objects (NEO). A launch date has been given for the project co-managed with NASA.
Crew members made final checks and refueled. Dress rehearsals are currently underway for the launch. If the mission is successfully accomplished by the specified date, this will be the first planetary defense test mission ever undertaken.
When is the launch date?
DART was brought to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and arrived at the launch facility in early October. Entering the SpaceX Payload Handling Facility on October 26, the spacecraft was filled with Hydrazine fuel after a two-day inspection. Alongside the hydrazine fuel, Xenon was loaded to power the NEXT-C ion engine.
The next important date for DART is November 10. The vehicle will be mated to an adapter on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will propel it into orbit. The date given for the first launch was announced as 23 November at 20.20. If the mission encounters any weather problems, the launch will be delayed to November 24. If a problem is encountered on this date, it can be postponed to February 2022.
What does DART aim for?
The mission’s target will be a much smaller lunar asteroid called Dimorphos, orbiting a large asteroid called Didymos. DART intentionally aims to change its trajectory by crashing into Dimorphos. NASA has made it clear that any part of this mission and one of the asteroids in question does not risk impacting Earth.
Asteroids that DART will hit
This project seeks to detect and alter the trajectory of a possible NEO via DART. Scientists will use telescopes on Earth to see and measure the effects of the impact on the asteroid system. The data obtained will be used to look for ways to deal with a possible asteroid threat in the future.
NASA says DART will be the first spacecraft to use the kinetic impact technique by crashing into an asteroid at high speed. Scientists describe this technique as the best opportunity technology can provide to stop a potentially dangerous asteroid at high speed. DART will help develop a computer model for this.
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