This is awesome

[VirusType2]

MOSCOW – Russia's space agency chief said Wednesday a spacecraft may be dispatched to knock a large asteroid off course and reduce the chances of earth impact, even though U.S. scientists say such a scenario is unlikely.

Anatoly Perminov told Golos Rossii radio the space agency would hold a meeting soon to assess a mission to Apophis. He said his agency might eventually invite NASA, the European Space Agency, the Chinese space agency and others to join the project.

When the 270-meter (885-foot) asteroid was first discovered in 2004, astronomers estimated its chances of smashing into Earth in its first flyby, in 2029, at 1-in-37.

Further studies have ruled out the possibility of an impact in 2029, when the asteroid is expected to come no closer than 18,300 miles (29,450 kilometers) from Earth's surface, but they indicated a small possibility of a hit on subsequent encounters.

full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_asteroid_encounter

Chances are extremely remote, according to the latest NASA intelligence, but I just think it's awesome that humans are going to fly out in space to alter the trajectory of a foreign body, to keep it from impacting Earth. Humans are an amazing species.

 

[barbarbarbarbar]

full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_asteroid_encounter

Chances are extremely remote, according to the latest NASA intelligence, but I just think it's awesome that humans are going to fly out in space to alter the trajectory of a foreign body, to keep it from impacting Earth. Humans are an amazing species.

I'm not sure that the Russians will risk that kind of money for a 1:250 000 chance of impact.On the other hand , they could be just showing off.Like they are with the "future mining operations on the moon" or the "Orbital space-ship construction yard"

IMO , they are over-ambitious.

P.S : **** you , you beat me to it

 

[Raziaar]

full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_asteroid_encounter

Chances are extremely remote, according to the latest NASA intelligence, but I just think it's awesome that humans are going to fly out in space to alter the trajectory of a foreign body, to keep it from impacting Earth. Humans are an amazing species.

If we were amazing, we wouldn't have to do it from space. We could do it with our minds.

 

[Remus]

I predict russian astronauts puting the asteroid by mistake on a guaranteed colision course with Earth.

 

[VirusType2]

If we were amazing, we wouldn't have to do it from space. We could do it with our minds.

I predict russian astronauts puting the asteroid by mistake on a guaranteed colision course with Earth.

haha, I love you gusy

 

[Sedako]

IMO , they are over-ambitious.

This is the kind of ambition needed to continue making progress in space exploration.

 

[CyberPitz]

I didn't now Bruce Willis was Russian!!

 

[Remus]

 

[Shakermaker]

This is the kind of ambition needed to continue making progress in space exploration.

Exactly. Boldly doing stuff that hasn't been done before. It does all seem to be in a really early stage though.

 

[Shyam]

I predict that the cosmonauts are going to put the asteroid on a collision course.....

I predict russian astronauts puting the asteroid by mistake on a guaranteed colision course with Earth.

Dammit Remus.

 

[barbarbarbarbar]

Exactly. Boldly doing stuff that hasn't been done before. It does all seem to be in a really early stage though.

You guys obviously forgotten that THIS SHIT COSTS MONEY AND TIME.
I really wish that you two were right but the way I see it - 2060 is the rational date to start intense space exploration.

 

[Sulkdodds]

MOSCOW – Russia's space agency chief said Wednesday a spacecraft may be dispatched to knock a large asteroid off course and reduce the chances of earth impact, even though U.S. scientists say such a scenario is unlikely.

So the asteroid won't actually hit us but the big russian manly men want to save us all from it.

 

[Vegeta897]

YES SULK THIS WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE OP AND REITERATED SEVERAL TIMES IN REPLIES ALREADY WELCOME TO THE PARTY

 

[Adabiviak]

It's good practice - if they screw up and are either unable to alter its course or die trying, it's still not likely to hit us, and it was an expensive lesson. I'd rather they take a stab at it now than when we know it's going to hit, and not be as sure that the plan will work.

 

[VirusType2]

It's good practice - if they screw up and are either unable to alter its course or die trying, it's still not likely to hit us, and it was an expensive lesson. I'd rather they take a stab at it now than when we know it's going to hit, and not be as sure that the plan will work.

Yeah, I agree. A little target practice.

 

[Sulkdodds]

YES SULK THIS WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE OP AND REITERATED SEVERAL TIMES IN REPLIES ALREADY WELCOME TO THE PARTY

Oh.