This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/8230138.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| British plan to tackle asteroids | British plan to tackle asteroids |
| (about 15 hours later) | |
| A team of British scientists are developing plans for a spacecraft that could stop large asteroids from destroying the Earth. | A team of British scientists are developing plans for a spacecraft that could stop large asteroids from destroying the Earth. |
| The 10 tonne "gravity tractor" would deflect any orbiting rocks years before any potential collision could happen. | The 10 tonne "gravity tractor" would deflect any orbiting rocks years before any potential collision could happen. |
| The device, which would rely on the force of gravity, is being developed by Stevenage space company, EADS Astrium. | |
| However the idea is still in its early stages and the company admits a prototype has not yet been made. | However the idea is still in its early stages and the company admits a prototype has not yet been made. |
| The tractor would steer asteroids away from the Earth | The tractor would steer asteroids away from the Earth |
| NASA's Near Earth Object Programme reports on its website that it has recorded 1068 known "Potentially Hazardous Asteroids", however there are thousands more estimated to be present in space. | NASA's Near Earth Object Programme reports on its website that it has recorded 1068 known "Potentially Hazardous Asteroids", however there are thousands more estimated to be present in space. |
| Dr Ralph Cordey, who is EADS Astrium's head of exploration and business told the BBC that the concept of a tug was actually first mooted by two Nasa astronauts, Edward Lu and Stanley Love, a few years ago. | Dr Ralph Cordey, who is EADS Astrium's head of exploration and business told the BBC that the concept of a tug was actually first mooted by two Nasa astronauts, Edward Lu and Stanley Love, a few years ago. |
| He said: "Frankly I thought it was crackers. I thought it would never work." | He said: "Frankly I thought it was crackers. I thought it would never work." |
| But he said after reconsidering the idea and focusing on specific engineering issues, including the size of the spacecraft, and long-term propulsion methods, it was considered by the team to be potentially feasible. | But he said after reconsidering the idea and focusing on specific engineering issues, including the size of the spacecraft, and long-term propulsion methods, it was considered by the team to be potentially feasible. |
| The tractor would intercept the asteroid from just 48 metres away and exert a small gravitational force on it, pulling the rock towards it. The pair would then embark on a different orbit, away from the Earth. | The tractor would intercept the asteroid from just 48 metres away and exert a small gravitational force on it, pulling the rock towards it. The pair would then embark on a different orbit, away from the Earth. |
| It could possibly be powered using solar panels. | It could possibly be powered using solar panels. |
| However the device would have to be launched at least 15 years before any predicted collision and would need a team to monitor it from the ground during this time. | However the device would have to be launched at least 15 years before any predicted collision and would need a team to monitor it from the ground during this time. |
| Dr Cordey said the company had worked with a number of space authorities on other methods of protecting the Earth from asteroids but this one would be able to target a wider range. | Dr Cordey said the company had worked with a number of space authorities on other methods of protecting the Earth from asteroids but this one would be able to target a wider range. |
| He said: "We have done quite a lot of design work on this with the European Space Agency and we believe this would work just as well on a big solid iron asteroid as well as other types." | He said: "We have done quite a lot of design work on this with the European Space Agency and we believe this would work just as well on a big solid iron asteroid as well as other types." |
| But the high cost implications mean that before the device could be made, it would have to be commissioned by a government or a group of governments working together. | But the high cost implications mean that before the device could be made, it would have to be commissioned by a government or a group of governments working together. |