Nuclear Explosion in Space Could Save the Planet from Catastrophe – Scientists

Chinese researchers have proposed a two-stage method to protect Earth from asteroids: first, a penetrator creates a shaft, then a nuclear charge is dropped into it. Modeling showed that a 300-kiloton charge would destroy a 50-meter asteroid, and a 3-megaton one would destroy a 100-meter asteroid. For kilometer-sized objects, burial at 30 meters is three times more effective than at 10 meters.

Chinese researchers have proposed a new approach to protecting Earth from potentially hazardous asteroids. Instead of a simple surface impact, they suggest a two-stage mission: the first spacecraft delivers a precise strike with a heavy metal penetrator, creating a deep shaft, and the second drops a nuclear device into this cavity and detonates it at the required depth. This method avoids the risk of destroying the nuclear device upon impact and increases the efficiency of the explosion. Computer modeling showed that a 300-kiloton charge can completely destroy a 50-meter asteroid, while a 3-megaton charge is needed to destroy an object 100 meters in diameter. For large objects about 1 km in diameter, burying a 3-megaton bomb at 30 meters changes the asteroid's velocity by 30 cm/s, which is more than three times more effective than detonation at a depth of 10 meters. The developers emphasize that the scenario is technically feasible but requires a significant lead time: the threat must be detected well before a potential collision to allow time to design, assemble, and launch two spacecraft. The article references the South China Morning Post.