On the possibility of altering the trajectories of asteroids and comets using plutonium implantation
It is pointed out that creation of a critical assembly by implantation of Pu239 inside an asteroid or comet could produce a substantial force on the asteroid or comet due to either explosive ejection or asymmetric sublimation of material off the surface of the asteroid or comet. This would allow one to make substantial changes in an asteroid`s or comet`s orbital elements using existing launch vehicles and spacecraft technology. It is particularly intriguing that recurrent sublimation induced by plutonium implantation could over a few months time deflect even kilometer-sized earth intersecting objects enough to avoid the earth. For the more distant future, nuclear-powered pulse jets might be a cost-effective way of altering the trajectories of asteroids and comets.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 113958
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC--121595; CONF-9505266--3; ON: DE95017873
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
ASTEROIDS
CIVIL DEFENSE
COMETS
DESIGN
EARTH PLANET
IMPREGNATION
MODIFICATIONS
MULTIPLICATION FACTORS
NUCLEAR ENERGY
PENETRATORS
PLUTONIUM 239
SPACE VEHICLES
SUBLIMATION
TIME DEPENDENCE
TRAJECTORIES
USES
ZERO POWER REACTORS