NASA’s DART spacecraft successfully altered the orbit of an asteroid

The subsequent time an asteroid threatens Earth, humanity may need an opportunity of saving the planet. On Tuesday, NASA introduced that its experimental Double Asteroid Redirection Take a look at efficiently altered the orbit of Dimorphos. Following two weeks of knowledge assortment and evaluation, the company discovered that DART’s affect shortened the asteroid’s orbit round its guardian, Didymos, by 32 minutes.
“If an Earth-threatening asteroid was found, and we might see it far sufficient away, this system may very well be used to deflect it,” NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson mentioned throughout a press convention the house company held on Tuesday.
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🎯Bullseye! @NASA‘s #DARTMission efficiently modified the focused asteroid’s trajectory—and its orbit by 32 minutes.
This watershed second for planetary protection is due to our distinctive workforce and worldwide companions. https://t.co/8gJluMES9B— Invoice Nelson (@SenBillNelson) October 11, 2022
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