NASA Mulls Asteroid Probe in 2106

Posted by Bill Meeks on August 10th, 2010

In an update to our story from last week (Asteroid Heading For Earth (in 2182)!), NASA is considering sending a probe to the ominous asteroid 1999 RQ36 to collect rock samples so they can more accurately when and if it will collide with earth. The project is being proposed as part of the New Frontiers program, and is competing with a trip to Venus for funding.

Basically, we are choosing between finding out when Earth will be destroyed or finding somewhere else to go before it is. Considering Bruce Willis will most likely not be around when the time comes I think we can safely write off the ‘Armageddon Option.’

[Telegraph.co.uk]

  • ebonnebula

    I may not be a rocket scientist, but I'd imagine that about 100 years is plenty of time to save up money so that it wouldn't need to compete for funding. I mean, seriously, the asteroid could work it's way through college in about 4 years (so long as it gets that scholarship, of course)

    I say Venus now, 1999 RQ36 later

  • xalidus

    I'm sure by then we can build a fifty foot tall robot Bruce Willis.

  • http://joshbulloc.com/default.aspx Josh Bulloc

    I also think Armageddon option will be out considering after the Gulf spill there will be too much red tape to send any oil rig guys up. Maybe they should send some corn farmers.

    Josh Bulloc
    Kansas City, Mo