The goal of Dart, launched last November, is precisely to collide with an asteroid and deflect it from its orbit, in order to provide valuable information for the development of such a planetary defense system.
Following and recording the phases before, during, and after the impact there will be LiciaCube, a nanosatellite released by the Dart probe itself. Built and operated by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, DART is part of NASA’s larger planetary defense strategy. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) will impact its target asteroid at 19:14. EDT Monday, September 26th.
Among other activities, NASA will host a televised briefing that will begin at 6pm. on September 26 from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. This test will show that a spacecraft can autonomously navigate to a target asteroid, the asteroid Dimorphos (not on a collision course with Earth), and intentionally collide with it to change the asteroid’s motion in a way that can be measured using terrestrial telescopes. DART will provide important data for any future missions.
Live coverage of DART’s impact with the Dimorphos asteroid will air on NASA TV and the agency’s website. The public will also be able to follow the mission live on the agency’s social media.
According to morningexpress.in. Source of photo: internet
