Nuclear weapons may be the best means of protecting the Earth from asteroids, according to scientists from China’s deep space exploration program.
In a paper published this month in the Chinese journal SCIENTIA SINICA Technologica, the team of researchers warned that despite recent developments in near-Earth object detection technologies, inaccuracies can occur, which means humanity needs to be prepared to fend off space debris.
In their study, the researchers analyzed a variety of defense methods and their feasibility in protecting the planet from asteroids of different sizes, densities, and warning periods. Their findings suggest that on short notice – for example, one week until impact – nuclear warheads would be the only thing capable of altering an asteroid’s course to avoid a collision.
Based on their analysis, the team suggested that the best solution to counter potential threats posed by asteroids would be to develop a global nuclear-based defense system.
The system should include swift-launchers able to send nuclear warheads from the ground into space from seven days to one month. It should also be equipped with rockets with precise strike ability – a margin of error of less than 100 meters (328 feet). Furthermore, the system should allow for orbital pre-deployment of nuclear warheads for long-term standby of more than ten years.
The researchers said they were aware that their idea is challenging for a number of reasons. Firstly, no nation currently has the ability to launch nuclear warheads into deep space, which means that new launch vehicles would have to be developed. Secondly, China, along with most other nuclear states on the planet, is part of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which prohibit signatories from stationing weapons of mass destruction in space. Thirdly, nuclear explosions cause radioactive pollution even in space, which poses a threat of secondary harm to Earth and other celestial bodies in its proximity.
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The scientists concluded that while a nuclear explosion “has amazing performance for self-defense,” it would be wise to explore other technologies capable of fending off asteroids, such as high-power laser weapons. They stressed, however, that the asteroid threat should not be taken for granted, as “the potential risk of asteroid impacts is much higher than the assessment based on currently discovered asteroid data.”
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