The next time an asteroid threatens Earth, humanity might have a chance of saving the planet. On Tuesday, NASA announced that its experimental Double Asteroid Redirection Test successfully altered the orbit of Dimorphos. Following two weeks of data collection and analysis, the agency found that DART’s impact shortened the asteroid’s orbit around its parent, Didymos, by 32 minutes.
“If an Earth-threatening asteroid was discovered, and we could see it far enough away, this technique could be used to deflect it,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said during a press conference the space agency held on Tuesday.
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🎯Bullseye! @NASA‘s #DARTMission successfully changed the targeted asteroid’s trajectory—and its orbit by 32 minutes.
This watershed moment for planetary defense is thanks to our exceptional team and international partners. https://t.co/8gJluMES9B— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) October 11, 2022