DART Mission: 2022's Answer To Beginning To Solve The Bennu / 23rd Century Smallish Possible Dangers...

On August 11, we wrote (in what we hope came across as a sober, non-sensationalized effort) of the nearly-infinitesimal risk Asteroid Bennu might pose to Earth (and our great great great grandchildren), later in the 22^nd or 23^rd Centuries.

Here on this glorious August morning, in the steel and glass canyons, we offer the news -- of the beginnings of our efforts to solve that potential problem, should it arise -- as to Bennu (or any other deep space object nearing an Earth intercept).

The mission is called DART. Read all about it, here -- but here's a bit:

. . .An on-orbit demonstration of asteroid deflection is a key test that NASA and other agencies wish to perform before any actual need is present. The DART mission is NASA's demonstration of kinetic impactor technology, impacting an asteroid to adjust its speed and path. DART will be the first-ever space mission to demonstrate asteroid deflection by kinetic impactor. . . .

The spacecraft will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Launch Window: January 14 – February 15, 2022. . . .

Now you know. . . onward, grinning (as real canyons and glassy mountain lakes now await). Will be off grid for about two weeks, shortly. . . .

नमस्ते