Scientists propose detonating asteroid from within to counter impact threat

Scientists have proposed a plan to counter a potential asteroid threat by placing a nuclear device inside the space rock and detonating it, according to a study published in the journal Space: Science & Technology. The approach aims to alter the asteroid's trajectory or destroy it entirely. The researchers said the surface-impact method tried in NASA's DART mission might not be sufficient when only a few days remain before a collision. Their alternative involves first using a conventional device to carve a deep crater on the asteroid's surface, then placing the nuclear device inside the crater and detonating it from within. The team said this method offers higher impact precision and transfers energy more effectively into the asteroid's interior. In emergency scenarios where there is insufficient warning time, the researchers noted that striking the asteroid directly on the surface with a nuclear bomb could remain an option. They added that the plan is considerably more effective against larger asteroids. The study acknowledged major obstacles to the approach, including technical complexity, the need for early detection, and international legal restrictions on the use of nuclear weapons in space.