NASA launches mission to intentionally crash spacecraft into asteroid
NASA has launched its mission to intentionally crash a spacecraft into an asteroid.
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) began its 10-month journey to nudge a space rock out of its orbit just after 5.30pm today (AEDT).
DART is a world-first demonstration of the kinetic impactor technique, the space agency said.
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The spacecraft moments after launch. NASA
The mission will help determine whether it's possible to change the direction of an asteroid in case one ever poses a threat to Earth.
The asteroid being targeted by DART is a moonlet asteroid dubbed Dimorphos. It orbits a larger asteroid called Didymos.
Dimorphos measures about 160 metres in diameter and does not pose a hazard to Earth.
The DART spacecraft will come speeding in at about 24,140 kilometres per hour. NASA
The DART spacecraft will come speeding in at about 24,140 kilometres per hour, targeting Dimorphos, said Nancy Chabot, DART coordination lead at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland.
The video of the impact will be streamed back to Earth.
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Both halves of the Falcon 9 rocket's protective payload fairing move toward NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft on November 16, 2021. NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman
The DART spacecraft was encapsulated in the SpaceX payload fairings at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California last week in preparation for launch.
Planetary scientist at the University of Queensland Trevor Ireland previously told 9news.com.au this is one of two methods humanity has to stop a potentially hazardous object (PHO) from slamming into Earth.
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) will help determine if intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid is an effective way to change its course. NASA
The other option would be to use a nuclear blast to blow the asteroid apart.
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