The innovation of the day is a new mission that will try to deflect an asteroid in space… History that we do not know the same fate as the dinosaurs.
New mission because last fall, remember what we heard everywhere…
Magnificent music, rock band… because the Americans made us a remake of the film Armageddon. You remember ? Bruce Willis and his team who had to blow up an asteroid before it hits the earth.
The real mission was a little different: we sent a satellite-kamikaze to crash into an asteroid to deflect it millions of kilometers from the earth. I told you regarding it here. The mission was a success.
Well, once more in a few months. With a mission inspired, this time, by another film. Listen…
Which country do you think it comes from?
It’s the music of the film “The Wandering Earth”, the wandering earth. A film where the Chinese Bruce Willis, Wu Jing, sacrifices himself to save the earth by diverting it from its orbit.
Is that what they are going to do in this mission? Divert the earth from its orbit?
No, they’re going to do like NASA: try to deflect an asteroid from its trajectory. But this time by hitting it with a mini rocket.
What I like regarding this story is that for once there is no competition with the Americans. The objective is simply to develop an additional solution. Moreover, Chinese officials say they are ready to collaborate with the Americans. Suddenly, if an asteroid were to threaten the earth, some might assist the others. We might have two different answers, in parallel. And maximize the chances of success. It’s kind of reassuring to see these two giants put their rivalries aside when it comes to defending the planet.
What is the risk of a meteor hitting the earth? Have we spotted one threatening us yet?
Yes, an asteroid called Bennu. According to the calculations, it is likely to hit the earth, very precisely on September 24, 2182. That is to say in a little less than 160 years. This leaves some time to prepare. The good news is that we have several solutions and that Americans and Chinese seem to be in solidarity.