Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: katieHaylor on 24/09/2018 09:21:17

Title: Could probes affect an asteroid's orbit?
Post by: katieHaylor on 24/09/2018 09:21:17

Peter says:

I am interested in the possible influence of the landing of drones on asteroids and the effect it might have on future trajectory.

What are the propabilities of an asteroid being nudged into another trajectory by the landing of a drone? Could it cause the asteroid to come closer to earth?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Could probes affect an asteroid's orbit?
Post by: evan_au on 24/09/2018 10:58:22

If you are thinking of the Hayabusa 2 mission that has recently dropped some landers on asteroid Ryugu, don't worry. The mass of this space probe is far less than the asteroid, and it had a very gentle rendezvous, transferring almost no momentum to the asteroid.

However, there are investigations on how to divert an asteroid, if we found one on a collision course with Earth (and had 20-50 years to do something about it).
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_impact_avoidance

Title: Re: Could probes affect an asteroid's orbit?
Post by: Catastrophe on 17/10/2018 15:47:00

Depends, of course, on the relative sizes. From suggested origin of the Moon ('asteroid' the size of Mars hitting  Earth) there is" not much " you can do about it !

A small probe landing on a large asteroid will not have much effect.

Also take into account kinetic energy. Some of these asteroids are moving at quite a pace.


Catastrophe (to be avoided)  :)