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Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, zapatos said:

Citation?

"Diverting an asteroid can be approached using various methods, each with its own timeframe for effectiveness. Among the methods you mentioned—gravity tractor, direct kinetic impactor, and nuclear explosion near the object—the gravity tractor would generally take the most time to work. Here’s a comparison of each method:

  1. Gravity Tractor:

    • Mechanism: A spacecraft hovers near the asteroid, using its gravitational pull to slowly alter the asteroid’s trajectory over time.
    • Timeframe: This method requires a prolonged period to have a significant effect, often taking years to decades to produce a noticeable change in the asteroid's path. The effectiveness depends on the mass of the spacecraft, the proximity to the asteroid, and the duration of the operation.
  2. Direct Kinetic Impactor:

    • Mechanism: A spacecraft or projectile is deliberately crashed into the asteroid at high speed to impart momentum and alter its trajectory.
    • Timeframe: The kinetic impactor method can produce more immediate changes compared to a gravity tractor. The effect on the asteroid’s trajectory occurs at the moment of impact, but the degree of change depends on the mass and speed of the impactor and the asteroid’s characteristics. While it acts relatively quickly, achieving significant deflection might still take years, depending on the warning time and required trajectory change.
  3. Nuclear Explosion Near the Object:

    • Mechanism: A nuclear device is detonated near the asteroid to vaporize part of its surface, creating a jet of debris that propels the asteroid in the opposite direction.
    • Timeframe: A nuclear explosion would result in a rapid and significant change in the asteroid's trajectory. The explosion causes an immediate reaction, potentially providing a substantial deflection in a short period. However, precise control of the outcome is more challenging compared to other methods.
    • In summary, the gravity tractor method takes the longest time to work among the three, as it involves a slow and gradual alteration of the asteroid’s trajectory over an extended period. The kinetic impactor acts faster but still requires a relatively longer timeframe compared to a nuclear explosion, which can achieve immediate and significant changes."

      - ChatGPT
Edited by Airbrush
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