Many years ago, Phil Groves, a longtime Hollywood film distributor, saw a story about asteroids that rekindled his childhood interest in space.
Groves’ passion for asteroids will soon hit the screens across the country, as his brand new documentary “Asteroid Hunter” launches at IMAX theaters. The film debuted at the Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday (Oct. Oct.) and will launch Cost-to-Cost on Thursday (Oct. Oct.). Screening may also be available in other countries; Check your local listings. “Star Wars” star Daisy Ridley (Ray) provides a statement from the film, directed by WD Hogan (“Deadlyset Warrior”).
The inspiration for “asteroid hunters” is found in research on the astronomical impact and deflection assessment (AIDA) mission of the Joint NASA-European Space Agency of Spark Groves. Shrink into space after the mission Germany said it would not be able to fund its share, But the goal remains the same: to safely test asteroid deflection techniques away from our home planet.
Related: NASA will target darts on target asteroids in the next deflection test
A. for current mission design NASA calls the spacecraft a double asteroid redirection test (DART) To redirect the path of the small asteroid to the moon in 2022. A follow-up ESA spacecraft called Hera Will orbit the planet in 2027 and study the crater.
Groves said he disagreed the original mission did not proceed on time and with a large scope originally planned. That said, the purpose of the movie is to show how asteroid deflection is rapidly becoming a science fact as opposed to science fiction. Also, moving the space rock is nothing like the one shown in the hit movie “Armageddon”, in which oil rig workers went to an imaginary asteroid to save the Earth.
“People on the streets, when I talk to them, they know the asteroids are out there,” Groves, who created “Asteroid Hunter,” told Space.com. The second 1990s film “Armageddon” and “Deep Impact” were often quoted in his conversations. (Policymakers also noted, as in the 1990s, Congress instructed NASA to find and direct about 90 percent of Earth’s objects (NEO) that is at least 0.6 miles or 1 kilometer in diameter – a target that NASA achieved in 2010).
Groves said he wanted to talk with world leaders about the dangers of the effects of the eclipse and what real-life scientists are doing to reduce that risk. Under a 2005 congressional order, NASA is now trying to locate all NEOs at 460 feet (0.15 kilometers) and 90% more. This was to happen by 2020, however NASA decided in 2017 that a dedicated space-based telescope (James Webb Web Space Telescope, which has not yet been launched) will be required to meet the timeline.
That said, the Ground Telescope (with the occasional aid of a space telescope like the Hubble Space Telescope) regularly scans the sky for prey of any potentially dangerous asteroids. While no imminent threats have been found, the search continues. Engineers are also discussing how to replace any asteroid that poses a formidable threat to our planet.
Related: Images: Potentially dangerous asteroids
Groves said the idea is to influence the path of the asteroids in a matter presented by the movie, adding that the two deflection ideas discussed in the film are based on concepts that have attracted praise in scientific peer reviews. The “gravity tractor” method says to move lightly a Potentially dangerous asteroid colliding with Earth Using the gravitational tug of robotic probes, a process that will take years or decades. Dart-like motion, on the other hand Suddenly move asteroids off course after a planned spacecraft collision.
“We really show you [in the movie], In live action simulation, the quiet technique of sending nukes [nuclear weapon] “Groves explained. To explode in the path of an asteroid.” We had a great time making a movie showing that sequence. “
Groves and his crew visited Wandenberg Air Force Base to see the Delta IV heavy-lift rocket launch into space. Such a rocket could, in theory, be used to send a motion impactor for future asteroid missions. The cameras were very close to the rocket, Groves recalled, so close that the protective glass in front of both cameras broke. (Groves, who saw the launch from three miles or five kilometers away, joked that it wasn’t a waste at this safe distance.)
The film includes scientific advice as well as scientific advice from NASA’s Kelly Fast, who provided the agency’s perspective. Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO), which was established in 2016 to manage planetary defense activities at NASA and with other emergency agencies in the United States. Part of PDCO’s work is collecting information about asteroids through a network of partner telescopes. It also performs simulation exercises for asteroid mitigation and, at worst, evacuating populated areas.
The filmmakers also received advice from Donald Yooms, who is now retired, but previously managed NASA’s Near-Earth Ob Budgets program office fees, a precursor to PDCO.
“Scientists are the real protagonists,” Groves said. “There are people who are watching our backs. They are using the power of science in a very real way to develop the technologies that we have now. The fact is that we sent probes to many asteroids and even comets sent them. Stopped, it shows that this [asteroid defense] There is something we can do today. “
Indeed, the last 20 years have seen A variety of comet and asteroid missions, And samples of some of these asteroids are to be delivered to Earth. Of Japan Hibusa 2 Will render with the planet later this year for further study. Meanwhile, NASA OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) The asteroid is orbiting Bennu and preparing for its own sample collection later this month.
Another notable was the recent mission ESA’s Rosetta Mission Who saw comet P67P / Churyamov – Gerasimenko, because it was closer to the sun, to better understand How outgassing on a small body Can change its orbit and take it closer or farther from Earth. Meanwhile, NASA is preparing for a new asteroid mission Lucy And MindsetIs, which will gain more understanding in this small world.
Another ongoing development is NASA’s mission to send a space-based telescope dedicated to the study of asteroids. This The Near-Earth Surbest Surveillance Mission is a current community-supported proposal, Adapted from a previous mission concept known as the near-earth ject object camera (NEOCam). NEOCam went through several phases of proposals, but was not eventually selected for launch.
“We need to have a sentinel out there to see the asteroids go to us, and we should do a better job of finding them,” Groves said of the Space Telescope concept. “But they’re working on it, because NASA has a space-based telescope they’re hoping to launch.”
Groves added that he worked to make this science-filled movie understandable to a wide audience, ranging from eight years to 80 years. “I can’t even spell a Ph.D.,” he said. “But this movie will speak to people of all ages and all scientific interests and backgrounds.”
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