Asteroids are like giant spinning rocks zooming through space. They can be dangerous because some of them come close to Earth. In our solar system, there are over a million asteroids, and tens of thousands are near Earth. Scientists are especially worried about the ones that are a few hundred meters wide because we haven’t found all of them yet.
NASA is working on a mission called the asteroid redirection mission. The goal is to learn how to change the path of an asteroid to protect Earth. They’re using new technology in space communication and rocket engines to send two spacecraft on different missions. One will explore the insides of planets, and the other will be our first defense against asteroids.
In movies, asteroids often look like small, gray rocks clumped together. But in reality, they’re spread out across the solar system. NASA’s missions, Psyche and DART, are designed to learn about Earth’s history and find ways to keep us safe in the future. These missions were inspired by the Osiris-Rex mission, which visited an asteroid named Bennu. Bennu is about the size of a few soccer fields. After studying it for months, Osiris-Rex collected a sample and started its journey back to Earth in May 2021.
The Psyche mission is focused on an asteroid named Psyche. Scientists think it might be part of the metal core of a planet that was forming long ago. The mission will use Mars’s gravity to help it reach Psyche, where it will spend 21 months collecting data. The main goal is to understand how rocky planets like Earth are formed.
Psyche will also test new technology, like deep space optical communication. This allows for sending lots of data using lasers, which is a big step forward for space exploration.
Studying asteroids like Psyche might help us learn about Earth’s resources. While mining in deep space is still far off, understanding these asteroids could help us in the future. Psyche is too far away to mine, but smaller, closer asteroids might have similar materials.
NASA keeps an eye on asteroids through its Near-Earth Object (NEO) observation program. They focus on asteroids larger than 140 meters that could be dangerous to humans. So far, they’ve found nearly 26,000 near-Earth objects, with a few considered potentially hazardous.
The DART mission, or Double Asteroid Redirection Test, is testing a way to change an asteroid’s path by crashing into it. Launched on November 23, 2021, DART will hit a small asteroid in the Didymos system to see if this method works.
DART will target the smaller asteroid, Dimorphos, to slightly change its orbit around the larger asteroid, Didymos. This small change could stop a future collision with Earth. A secondary probe, LICIACube, will take pictures of the impact.
DART will use a new propulsion system called the NEXT-C ion engine, which uses xenon gas to create thrust efficiently over long periods. The mission will also use onboard cameras to study the asteroid and ensure a successful impact.
Through these missions, NASA and its partners are making great strides in exploring space and developing technology to protect Earth from asteroids. This work is crucial for understanding asteroids better and preparing for any potential threats they might pose.
Use clay or papier-mâché to create a model of an asteroid. Research different types of asteroids and choose one to replicate. Pay attention to its size, shape, and surface features. Present your model to the class and explain what makes your asteroid unique and how it relates to the missions discussed in the article.
Imagine you are leading a new NASA mission to study an asteroid. Create a mission plan that includes the objectives, technology you would use, and the type of data you hope to collect. Present your mission plan to the class, highlighting how it builds on or differs from the Psyche and DART missions.
Participate in a computer simulation that models the impact of an asteroid on Earth. Analyze the results to understand the potential effects of different-sized asteroids. Discuss with your classmates how missions like DART could mitigate these impacts and the importance of tracking near-Earth objects.
Research the ethical and practical implications of asteroid mining. Divide into two groups and hold a debate on whether humanity should pursue asteroid mining. Consider the potential benefits and risks, and relate your arguments to the information about Earth’s resources and space exploration from the article.
Work in groups to create a timeline of significant space missions related to asteroids, including Osiris-Rex, Psyche, and DART. Include key dates, objectives, and outcomes. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how each mission contributes to our understanding of asteroids and planetary defense.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the provided transcript:
—
Asteroids are spinning mountains of rock and ore that travel through space and have the potential for mass destruction. They are spread throughout our entire solar system, with some orbiting the Sun closer than Earth and others crossing Earth’s orbit, posing a danger to us. There are over 1 million asteroids in our solar system, with tens of thousands classified as near-Earth objects. We are particularly concerned about a few hundred meter-sized objects, as we have identified less than half of this population.
One of NASA’s latest missions, called the asteroid redirection mission, aims to demonstrate planetary defense technology to deflect an asteroid. New advancements in deep space communications and rocket propulsion will guide two distinct spacecraft on two separate missions: one to explore the cores of planets and another to serve as humanity’s first planetary defense probe.
Asteroids are often portrayed in pop culture as small, gray bodies clustered together, but in reality, they are spread out across our solar system. NASA’s deep space probes, Psyche and DART, will investigate Earth’s past and test strategies to protect our future. These missions were made possible by the earlier Osiris-Rex mission, which visited the asteroid Bennu, a relatively small asteroid comparable in size to a few soccer fields. After months of surveying, a sample was collected, and the probe began its return to Earth in May 2021.
The Psyche mission aims to determine whether the asteroid Psyche is part of the metal core of a planetesimal, which are early forming planetary bodies. The mission will involve a Mars flyby for gravity assist before orbiting Psyche for 21 months to gather data. The fundamental goal is to understand the formation processes of rocky planets.
While Osiris-Rex was the first asteroid sampling mission, Psyche will demonstrate new technology, including deep space optical communication, which allows for the transmission of large amounts of data via laser. This advancement is expected to be a significant leap for space exploration.
The Psyche mission may also provide insights into Earth’s dwindling resources. Although deep space mining is likely decades away, understanding the composition of asteroids like Psyche could inform future resource extraction efforts. However, Psyche itself is too far for mining, but smaller, closer asteroids may have similar compositions.
In addition to exploring resources, NASA monitors asteroids through its Near-Earth Object (NEO) observation program. The primary goal is to classify asteroids larger than 140 meters that could pose a significant risk to human life. To date, nearly 26,000 near-Earth objects have been detected, with a small fraction classified as potentially hazardous.
The DART mission, or Double Asteroid Redirection Test, aims to test a kinetic impactor technique on an asteroid. Launched on November 23, 2021, DART will intentionally crash into a small asteroid in the Didymos binary system to assess whether this method can effectively change an asteroid’s trajectory.
DART will impact the smaller asteroid, Dimorphos, to slightly alter its orbit around the larger asteroid, Didymos. This change, although small, could prevent a future collision with Earth. The impact will be documented by a secondary probe, LICIACube, which will capture images during the mission.
DART will also utilize a new type of propulsion called the NEXT-C ion engine, which uses xenon to produce thrust efficiently over long periods. The mission will include onboard imaging to characterize the asteroid and ensure a successful impact.
Through these critical missions, NASA and its partners are paving the way for future exploration and developing technologies that could protect Earth from potential asteroid threats. This represents a significant advancement in our understanding of asteroids and our ability to respond to potential dangers.
—
This version maintains the core information while removing any informal language or potentially inappropriate content.
Asteroids – Small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. – Example sentence: Scientists study asteroids to learn more about the early solar system.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse that exists beyond Earth’s atmosphere, where stars, planets, and other celestial bodies are found. – Example sentence: Telescopes allow us to observe distant galaxies in space.
Mission – A specific task or operation carried out by a spacecraft or team of scientists to explore or study space. – Example sentence: The Mars rover mission aims to search for signs of past life on the planet.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun, home to all known life, with a unique atmosphere and surface conditions. – Example sentence: From space, Earth appears as a beautiful blue and green sphere.
NASA – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. – Example sentence: NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope to capture detailed images of the universe.
Psyche – A metallic asteroid located in the asteroid belt, which is the target of a NASA mission to study its composition and history. – Example sentence: The Psyche mission will help scientists understand more about the building blocks of planet formation.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry, including the development of tools and machines used in space exploration. – Example sentence: Advances in technology have made it possible to send robotic probes to distant planets.
Gravity – The force that attracts a body toward the center of the Earth, or toward any other physical body having mass. – Example sentence: Gravity keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun.
Resources – Materials or substances such as minerals, water, and energy sources that are found in space and can be used to support life or technology. – Example sentence: Scientists are exploring the potential of mining resources from asteroids.
Collision – An event where two or more bodies in space crash into each other, often resulting in significant changes to their structure or orbit. – Example sentence: The collision of two asteroids can create a shower of smaller debris in space.
