Scientists from the University of California in Santa Barbara Philip Lubin and California Polytechnic state University demonstrated a laser system that have the potential to effectively counter this threat, as directed to the Earth asteroids. In tests, the researchers created similar conditions for the space and took basalt fragment simulating heaven "shell".

Read more...

Scientists from the University of California in Santa Barbara Philip Lubin and California Polytechnic state University demonstrated a laser system that have the potential to effectively counter this threat, as directed to the Earth asteroids. In tests, the researchers created similar conditions for the space and took basalt fragment simulating heaven "shell".

Then, on a piece of rock was sent to the laser beam, which was able to cause a partial destruction of the object, which led to a change in its mass and to the creation of "rocket" rod. In reality, it would change the trajectory of its flight, reports The Daily Mail. the "Is the process when a solid or liquid material turns into gas," said one of the participants of the project. With the help of the laser system can also slow down the rotation of the asteroid or change its direction.

In theory, the installation, called DE-STAR (Directed Energy System for Targeting of Asteroids and exploRation), also significantly simplifies the "capture" of asteroids for their further development. "Our laboratory experiments proved the effectiveness of the proposed method", — according to scientists.

the same group of researchers is developing a system of DEEP-IN (Directed Energy Propulsion for Interstellar exploratioN), which represents the theoretical sample engine to achieve relativistic and light velocities.