NASA, which has been the world’s gateway to space since 1958, has started the countdown for the DART mission it launched to remove potentially dangerous objects from its route. Agency; In this context, in the coming months, the Dart spacecraft is making the final touches to collide with the giant asteroid Dimorphos.
NASA spacecraft will hit the asteroid at a speed of 23,000 km / h
The DART mission, which NASA started due to concerns that a large asteroid will hit our planet in the near future, was implemented last year with a total budget of 325 million dollars. Agency; At this point, in late November, Dart launched its vehicle into space.
NASA Dart mission
NASA, however, has prepared an artificial collision plan to take precautions against threats that may cause continent-wide destruction in the future if it collides with the Earth. In this context, the excited wait began for the Dart spacecraft to hit the Dimorphos asteroid, which was determined at a speed of 23,000 km / h.
The main purpose of the agency here is not to destroy the asteroid, but rather to change its course. Apart from that, the impact of the collision will be observed at a distance of 11 million km, that is, through telescopes on Earth.
NASA Dart mission
DART project and lead scientist Andy Cheng, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, used the following statements in his statement on the subject;
It’s so exciting that something we’ve been thinking about for 20 years has come true, it’s like a dream come true.
If we explain the main purpose of the project a little more; Objects the size of Dimorphos are quite dangerous. Because it can explode, devastate populated areas and cause tens of thousands of casualties. Asteroids larger than 300 meters in diameter can cause continent-wide destruction, while those larger than 1 kilometer will have worldwide impact. This task is therefore of great importance in taking precautions against potential hazards.
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