Maybe you guys know this. Im doing a project for school and I need to know what the name of the missile that is supposed to deflect asteroids from earth is.
There aren’t any…[:I] There have been concepts created using ICBMs (Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles) with nuclear warheads to deflect asteroids, but there is not a system specificaly designed for such a mission. The warhead size needed to alter the trajectory or destroy an asteroid/comet really depends on the size and density of an object. So it just isn’t something that has been well thought out.
As for what are some of the ICBMs out there… I believe Minuteman III is the current land based ICBM in the USAF inventory and the Navy uses the Trident II missile. As for other systems, the old Atlas, Delta and Titan rockets used to launch satellites today were originally designed as ICBMs. They would make a much better option for intercepting objects in space. Atlas V and Delta IV are the newest of their respective series. Titans are no longer in production.
Hope that helps! [8D]
Yes, you’re right we have no defenses against asteroids… I’ve heard somewhere (I thik it was in Otro Rollo, a Mexican TV show) that when an asteroid is going to impact, the government agencies won’t tell that… it’s useless to create panic among the civilian when nothing can be done for destroying the asteroid…
You might want to try the “space” section (not sci-fi!) maybe they know of projects [?]
Oh yeah I didnt see the space section i just saw the sci fi section thanks guys.