Hyper-velocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response (HAMMER) is a concept study byNASA on a spacecraft (8 tonnes) capable of detonating anuclear bomb to deflect anasteroid, if it was on a collision course toEarth. The study is a collaboration between theNational Nuclear Security Administration, NASA, and two Energy Department weapons labs.[1][2][3]
NASA is working on a modelling study that considers the asteroid101955 Bennu, which has a diameter of 246 meters and capable of a 1.15gigaton impact, as a modelling target for the HAMMER concept.[4][5] It is circling the Sun at 63,000 mph and 54 million miles from theEarth.[6]
The two realistic responses considered in the study are the use of a spacecraft functioning as either a kinetic impactor or a nuclear explosive carrier to deflect the approaching asteroid.[7]
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