Apparatus for impacting and breaking up bodies such as meteorites, asteroids or comets, in or beyond the Earth’s atmosphere by means of multiple projectiles. The projectiles comprise a first part or stage having shock absorbing, velocity reducing, or cooling means 1, in physical communication with a second part or stage being a penetrating shell 3. The shock absorbing, velocity reducing part ensures that a penetrating, but non-vaporising impact is achieved. Multiple impacts are timed such that they match the resonant frequency of the body and the rsulting shockwave causes the body to break up and fall apart. Preferably the cooling means is water or hydrogen. The second part or stage may be in the shape of a wedge. The projectiles may be spun upon launch for stability and a further one or more solid propellant rocket motors may be used to further reduce impact velocity. Also claimed is a space vehicle capable of monitoring and establishing the resonant frequency of the body being impacted and of adjusting the timing of the projectiles.
Asteroid or comet reducer
2023-06-14
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
Online Contents | 1997
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