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Kinetic impactors and nukes
Humanity can stop smaller asteroids with kinetic impactors. Larger planet-killers require a nuclear bomb detonated inside a pre-drilled tunnel.
- ☄️ Smaller asteroids (100m) can be pulverized by a single tungsten "penetrator" impacting at high speed.
- 💥 Nukes are ineffective against asteroids in a vacuum unless detonated inside or very close.
- 🚀 Stopping a planet-killer requires hundreds of thousands of rockets to deliver multiple penetrators and a nuclear warhead.
- 🧑🚀 A mission to stop a planet-killer would likely require a one-way trip for astronauts to supervise.
- ⏳ Detecting a planet-killer six months in advance is the absolute minimum for a chance of survival.
An animated depiction of a massive, glowing asteroid impacting Earth, with a smaller asteroid shown on the left and a red arrow pointing to the large one.