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Russia Takes Aim At Asteroid
Russian scientists say they want to test improved ballistic missiles on an asteroid that will pass Earth, according to the country’s state media.
Scientists from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau told the TASS news agency Apophis is expected to come ‘dangerously close’ to our planet in 2036.
However, NASA has ruled out the possibility of the asteroid striking Earth.
Animation of 99942 Apophis from the Osservatorio Astronomico Sormano
The leading researcher at the bureau, Sabit Saitgarayev, wants to test the capability of the missiles after they have been upgraded.
Mr Saitgarayev said: "Most rockets work on boiling fuel. Their fuelling begins 10 days before the launch and, therefore, they are unfit for destroying meteorites similar to the Chelyabinsk meteorite in diameter, which are detected several hours before coming close to the Earth.
"For this purpose, intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used, which requires their upgrade."
The intercontinental ballistic missiles will be designed to destroy near-Earth asteroids between 20-50 metres in size, significantly smaller than the 325 metre-long 99942 Apophis.
The multi-million pound development would aim to blow asteroids into smaller pieces that would then burn up in the atmosphere.
Close approach of Apophis on April 13, 2029 (as known in February 2005)
Russia has been affected by meteorites in the past.
A 20 metre space rock exploded in the atmosphere over Chelyabinsk in February 2013.
More than 1,000 people were injured, mainly from flying glass which blew out of the windows of hundreds of damaged properties.
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