NASA launches spacecraft designed to deflect an asteroid from hitting Earth

NASA's test mission to demonstrate the world's first planetary defence system, designed to deflect an asteroid from a potential doomsday collision with Earth, lifted off early Wednesday morning from Vandenberg U.S. Space Force Base near Los Angeles.

The DART payload is about the size of a vending machine and was released from the booster a few minutes after launch to begin its 10-month journey into space.

The mission's success relies on the spacecraft crashing into an asteroid. The goal is for the DART to alter an asteroid's trajectory with sheer kinetic force, plowing into it at high speed to nudge the space boulder off course just enough to keep it out of Earth's way. The asteroid it is set to hit poses no threat to Earth, but is being targeted for the test run.

#GlobalNews

[benyseus]

This is for you Dino friends. Rest In Peace.

[Oilers]

What’s interesting is that they are telling and showing us they are doing this. They could have without saying anything. They launch stuff up there all the time and don’t tell us. Why this now?

[poohandtiggervideosinc]

Given how bad the world has gotten

Just get it over with

[aheartonfire]

“Um just one question, what if you miss?”

“I won’t.”

[mmartinez]

If anything they should seat all world leaders in this rocket since all of them want to safe all humans.

[randallnilsen]

Did no one else catch the ufo’s in the backround shortly before the last detachment 🤯🤷🏼‍♂️

[Goodcatt]

Oh man, we’re going from Contagion/Outbreak mixed with V for Vendetta to Deep Impact…what’s next, Children of Men?

[Vetaprime]

I like the sound of "planetary defense test"

[kto_]

Oh Lord Here Comes The Next Lockdown Event. What Will They Think Of Next. 😆

[paull]

It's like a fly hitting a semi ...i

[charlesk]

Not sure if I believe anything nasa says

[jeremygilley]

Watch it work and then deflect the asteroid straight into Earth 😂 🌎☄️🔥🌑

[petername]

So a asteroid is on the way to hit earth🤔

[GinetteCallaway]

We just crashed a Nat into an elephant to see if the elephant goes of track... millions of dollars PUFF.

In the meantime we can't fix our supply chain, financial system, and had no diplomats with honest negotiating abilities or talent to talk to Russia, which may have prevented them from crashing into Ukraine. But we're proven we can tickle a flying rock. I am underwhelmed!🤔

[horseytangering]

That spacecraft looks like utter trash!

[alabamagaboy]

more paid holidays to worry about I guess..Cool

[greymanphipps]

This isn't a game. They aren't telling us the truth. WORMWOOD

[NorthSiXJames]

You don't mess around with asteroids don't piss them off . The gods are watching your going try deflecting it then its going tohit earth. And you keep playing around and there will be a million asteroids heading your way lights out humans, keep playing around . The gods are watching 😇

[shirinshourcheh]

Let it hit earth better without these Ai

[yramschannel]

Apocalipsis 8:8, 10 [8]At humihip ang ikalawang anghel, at ang tulad sa isang malaking bundok na nagliliyab sa apoy ay nabulusok sa dagat: at ang ikatlong bahagi ng dagat ay naging dugo;[10]At humihip ang ikatlong anghel, at nahulog mula sa langit ang isang malaking bituin, na nagliliyab na gaya ng isang sulo, at nahulog sa ikatlong bahagi ng mga ilog, at sa mga bukal ng tubig;