ESA and NASA push asteroid deflection plans ahead of International Asteroid Day

June 30 marks International Asteroid Day, commemorating the 1908 Tunguska explosion. Scientists stress that near‑Earth objects larger than 140 m, though rare, could cause catastrophic damage if they strike Earth. The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA are advancing planetary‑defence programmes.

In 2022 NASA’s DART spacecraft deliberately collided with the small moon Dimorphos of the binary asteroid Didymos, an impact that “breaks us into a new era of humanity” according to ESA asteroid‑defence chief Richard Moissl. ESA’s follow‑up Hera mission, launched in 2024, will arrive at the Didymos system later this year to study the crater, composition and density of the bodies, data essential for any future deflection technique.

Future plans include ESA’s “Ramses” (Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety) to observe asteroid Apophis during its close pass of 32 000 km on 13 April 2029, and studies of infrared telescopes and ion‑thruster concepts to detect and steer sun‑ward asteroids. Researchers caution that mis‑directed deflection attempts could fragment an asteroid, sending hazardous pieces toward Earth.

Overall, the scientific community is using recent missions to refine strategies for protecting the planet from potential asteroid impacts.