NASA plans to launch first planetary defense mission

The World

What happens if a large asteroid is on a trajectory to hit planet Earth? Well, in the movie version, Bruce Willis stops the asteroid — by blowing it up. But now, NASA is testing its own solution. They're calling it the Double Asteroid Redirection Test — or DART. It's a collaborative project between Johns Hopkins University, NASA and SpaceX, where scientists are planning on moving an asteroid. They're calling it the world’s first planetary defense mission. Host Marco Werman speaks with Andy Rivkin, one of DART's investigation team leads.

Will you support The World?

There is no paywall on the story you just read because a community of dedicated listeners and readers have contributed to keep the global news you rely on free and accessible for all. Will you join the 314 donors who’ve stepped up to support The World? From now until Dec. 31, your gift will help us unlock a $67,000 match. Donate today to double your impact and keep The World free and accessible.