"Mini Death Star" To Protect Earth?

Scientists are building a mini death star to protect Earth from killer asteroids.

16:46 07 March 2016

Scientists at the University of California said that a death star-like spacecraft loaded with lasers could be our best hope of deflecting a killer asteroid. They explained that such aircraft could zap any asteroids that look like they might collide with our planet.

 

The so-called DE-STAR (Directed Energy System for Targeting of Asteroids and exploRation) would create a blast of gas, pushing the asteroid onto a new path.

 

Qicheng Zhang of the University of California, said: "Generally speaking, the technology is available today,"

 

"The main challenge with building a full DE-STAR is the necessary scale to be effective."

 

"If, say, a 100-metre-wide asteroid were found today on a collision course with Earth next week, directed energy would not be a viable solution," Zhang explained.

 

"If, on the other hand, we find that same asteroid 30 years before impact, directed energy would be very effective, even with 10 kW lasers which are far below the power of many lasers in possession by the US military today.”