Post by WitchBoy on Aug 30, 2002 20:54:27 GMT -5
Cosmic airbags could protect the Earth from rogue asteroids and comets, according to a US mathematician.
Hermann Burchard says a giant inflatable space pillow would knock the objects while keeping them intact.
He believes the plan will work for objects up to 10 kilometres wide, and is a simple way of saving the planet.
Burchard, of Oklahoma State University, says it would be possible for a spacecraft to fly alongside the object and inflate the space airbag using gas produced by a chemical reaction.
New Scientist reports other suggestions on how to protect Earth from an impact include detonating a nuclear bomb on the surface,
Some scientists are worried a nuclear blast would risk splitting the asteroid into dangerous pieces which could still hit Earth.
Hermann Burchard says a giant inflatable space pillow would knock the objects while keeping them intact.
He believes the plan will work for objects up to 10 kilometres wide, and is a simple way of saving the planet.
Burchard, of Oklahoma State University, says it would be possible for a spacecraft to fly alongside the object and inflate the space airbag using gas produced by a chemical reaction.
New Scientist reports other suggestions on how to protect Earth from an impact include detonating a nuclear bomb on the surface,
Some scientists are worried a nuclear blast would risk splitting the asteroid into dangerous pieces which could still hit Earth.