We have seen watching many science fiction movies by Hollywood where asteroids hit the Earth and destroy us all. However, in reality, NASA, the U.S. space agency, tested a spacecraft last month that could change the direction of an asteroid that may hit our planet. The mission was mankind's first attempt to animate another celestial body with the goal of seeing if a large asteroid charging towards Earth could successfully bypass it.
NASA's spacecraft successfully collided with the asteroid Dimorphos, 6.8 meters from Earth. The $325 million spacecraft began its journey in November 2021. The goal was to hit an asteroid called Dimorphos.
Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) collided with the center of the asteroid at a speed of 24,000 km/h. However, scientists have yet to discover whether the asteroid has changed direction. When its data arrives, they can determine whether the asteroid has changed direction or not.
This is the first time they've been on a mission to protect ourselves from a dangerous asteroid impact. Samson Reony, the Johns Hopkins' laboratory mission commentator for applied physics, said, "When science, engineering, and the great purpose of planetary defense come together, it creates magical moments like this."
DART represents a new era for humanity. We live in a scientific age where we can protect ourselves from hazards potentially dangerous asteroid collisions. People say NASA might have the answer to the possibility of the end of this Earth.
