Nasa can't stop doomsday asteroid that could end life on Earth in 2135, says study
Scientists now say that Nasa will be unable to defend our planet against a doomsday asteroid that could smash into Earth in 2135.
Researchers say it might be impossible to stop the space rock - which is the size of the Empire State building - from careering into Earth next century.
According to scientists even their most advanced technology would prove 'inadequate' for deflecting such a space rock, which has been dubbed Bennu.
The asteroid has sparked fears that it could even wipe out life for good.
Scientists are investigating the possibility of using a specially designed spacecraft to nuke the fast approaching cosmic objects, in hopes that it could neutralize the threat.
While it could be possible to divert a near-Earth object (NEO) by slamming into it with a so-called impactor, experts say a nuclear explosion may be the best bet when time is running out.
In a new study, scientists from NASA and the National Nuclear Security Administration have laid out a plan for the Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response (HAMMER).
According to BuzzFeed News, the 8.8-ton HAMMER spacecraft could be used to steer itself directly into a small asteroid, or blow the space rock up using a nuclear device.
While Earth isn’t at risk of a collision with Bennu any time soon, there’s a 1 in 2,700 chance it will slam into our planet sometime next century.
Bennu is also the best-studied asteroid of all the known NEOs, the researchers note.