Nuclear Weapons: Earth's Last Line of Defense Against Asteroids

NASA is on alert. The U.S. space agency is closely tracking two asteroids that would be making a close encounter with our planet. There is no need to be alarmed as the first asteroid is 130 feet in diameter and at about 1,030,000 kilometres. While the second asteroid has an estimated width of 92 feet and is 1,620,000 kilometres away from Earth.

But what if a much bigger asteroid is on the trajectory to hit our planet? Every 2,000 years or so, a meteoroid the size of a football field hits Earth and causes significant damage. There are much bigger asteroids in our solar system. Many of them are dubbed as planet killers as they could destroy the life on our planet. So, can we do something about it?

Nuclear weapons-long considered the most destructive force on Earth-could be our only hope of averting such a global catastrophe. Scientists at China's deep space exploration program have theorised that nuclear weapons may be the only means to deflect or destroy a large asteroid hurtling toward Earth.

In 2013, a 20-meter-wide asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, with the force of 30 atomic bombs. It injured over 1,500 people and damaged more than 5,000 buildings. And that was just a small one. Scientists say that any asteroid larger than one to two kilometres could have worldwide effects. Sample this, asteroids which are located between Mars and Jupiter, can be as big as 940 kilometres across. NASA along with other agencies around the world has been working on many options for planetary defence. But the problem is to generate enough power to nudge a big asteroid on a collision course with our planet. Chinese scientists have analysed various techniques, including kinetic impact, rocket or plasma engines, projectile devices, focused sunlight, and high-powered laser weapons. Their findings suggest that nuclear warheads may be the only viable option for deflecting large asteroids with short warning times.

While nuclear explosions carry the risk of radioactive pollution. There is also a chance of an accident which can cause major problems. However, the potential consequences of an asteroid impact far outweigh this concern. The researchers argue that a well-planned and executed nuclear strike could save humanity from a devastating catastrophe. However, the decision to deploy nuclear weapons in space is wrapped in ethical and political complexities. The use of such weapons would violate existing international treaties and raise concerns about the potential for nuclear proliferation.

Critical to this nuclear strategy is the development of rapid response capabilities. The ability to launch nuclear-tipped missiles within days or weeks of detection could mean the difference between a near-miss and an apocalypse. This requires a paradigm shift in our approach to space launch technology, moving away from the current time-consuming assembly and fuelling processes towards systems capable of near-instantaneous deployment. It would also need nations around the world to join hands and work towards the common goal of saving our home planet. Well one can hope that such a need never arises, but it is always better to be prepared than be unguarded.