Russian scientists are planning to tweak their ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) to target near-earth objects
(NEOs), according to a report by news agency TASS. The news came from
Sabit Saitgarayev, the leading researcher at the Makeyev Rocket Design
Bureau. The projectiles could be aimed at meteorites measuring 20-50
meters in size. A meteorite is a chunk of debris that can originate
from a sun-orbiting asteroid and survives the trip through the
atmosphere to reach Earth’s surface.
The scientists plan to test their missiles on the asteroid 99942 Apophis, which Saitgarayev believes may pass “dangerously close” to Earth in 2036. There is a general consensus as to this expected close encounter, though NASA has “effectively ruled out the possibility” of an impact.
Related: NASA’s newest branch has one job: Protect the Planet from humongous asteroids
The lead scientist explains the reasoning behind his team’s work. “Most rockets work on boiling fuel,” Saitgarayev says. “Their fueling begins 10 days before the launch and, therefore, they are unfit for destroying meteorites similar to the Chelyabinsk meteorite in diameter, which are detected several hours before coming close to the Earth. For this purpose, intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used, which requires their upgrade.”
Saitgarayev says that modifying the solid-fueled ICBMs will require several million dollars and permission from the authorities. These are weapons of war, after all. It is unclear whether or not this project will ever come to fruition, though the work has already begun.
The Makeyev Design Bureau was established on December 16, 1947. The company specialized in developing long-rockets designed by the OKB-1 (Experimental Design Bureau), which was led by pioneering rocket designer Sergei Korolov. It was under Korolov’s direction that Russia launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, and put the first man in space in 1961. In the mid-1950s, Maketev OKB began developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Today, its rockets are used to launch Russian satellites into space.
The scientists plan to test their missiles on the asteroid 99942 Apophis, which Saitgarayev believes may pass “dangerously close” to Earth in 2036. There is a general consensus as to this expected close encounter, though NASA has “effectively ruled out the possibility” of an impact.
Related: NASA’s newest branch has one job: Protect the Planet from humongous asteroids
The lead scientist explains the reasoning behind his team’s work. “Most rockets work on boiling fuel,” Saitgarayev says. “Their fueling begins 10 days before the launch and, therefore, they are unfit for destroying meteorites similar to the Chelyabinsk meteorite in diameter, which are detected several hours before coming close to the Earth. For this purpose, intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used, which requires their upgrade.”
Saitgarayev says that modifying the solid-fueled ICBMs will require several million dollars and permission from the authorities. These are weapons of war, after all. It is unclear whether or not this project will ever come to fruition, though the work has already begun.
The Makeyev Design Bureau was established on December 16, 1947. The company specialized in developing long-rockets designed by the OKB-1 (Experimental Design Bureau), which was led by pioneering rocket designer Sergei Korolov. It was under Korolov’s direction that Russia launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, and put the first man in space in 1961. In the mid-1950s, Maketev OKB began developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Today, its rockets are used to launch Russian satellites into space.
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The scientists plan to test their missiles on the asteroid 99942 Apophis, which Saitgarayev believes may pass “dangerously close” to Earth in 2036. There is a general consensus as to this expected close encounter, though NASA has “effectively ruled out the possibility” of an impact.
Related: NASA’s newest branch has one job: Protect the Planet from humongous asteroids
The lead scientist explains the reasoning behind his team’s work. “Most rockets work on boiling fuel,” Saitgarayev says. “Their fueling begins 10 days before the launch and, therefore, they are unfit for destroying meteorites similar to the Chelyabinsk meteorite in diameter, which are detected several hours before coming close to the Earth. For this purpose, intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used, which requires their upgrade.”
Saitgarayev says that modifying the solid-fueled ICBMs will require several million dollars and permission from the authorities. These are weapons of war, after all. It is unclear whether or not this project will ever come to fruition, though the work has already begun.
The Makeyev Design Bureau was established on December 16, 1947. The company specialized in developing long-rockets designed by the OKB-1 (Experimental Design Bureau), which was led by pioneering rocket designer Sergei Korolov. It was under Korolov’s direction that Russia launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, and put the first man in space in 1961. In the mid-1950s, Maketev OKB began developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Today, its rockets are used to launch Russian satellites into space.
US Air Force test-launches Minuteman missile from California
The missile blasted off at 11:34 p.m. PST from Vandenberg Air Force Base northwest of Los Angeles.
"There was a slight delay due to some instruments downrange but it went within the launch window," said Carla Pampe, chief of civic outreach for Air Force Global Strike Command.
The
Air Force says the missile carried a test re-entry vehicle that headed
for a target area 4,200 miles away to the Kwajalein Atoll in the
Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
The Air Force routinely uses Vandenberg to test Minuteman missiles from bases around the country.
"While
ICBM launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base almost seem routine, each
one requires a tremendous amount of effort and absolute attention to
detail in order to ensure a safe and successful launch," Col. J.
Christopher Moss, 30th Space Wing commander, said in a press release.
"This specific test will provide accuracy and reliability data that is
essential to on-going and future modifications to the weapon system,
which are key to improving the already impressive effectiveness of the
Minuteman III force."
This
test involved personnel from Vandenberg's 576th Flight Test Squadron and
the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base,
Nebraska, and the 91st Missile Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
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