The DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) Mission is the first mission designed to test asteroid deflection by kinetic impact, changing an asteroid’s path in space. DART mission NASA will deliberately collide with Dimorphos, a small asteroid orbiting Didymos, to study how its motion changes. This experiment helps scientists evaluate the effectiveness of asteroid deflection for future planetary defence.

This article on UPSC examination preparation covers definitions of boulders, asteroids, and planetary defence, along with details of the DART Mission NASA, its objectives, impact, and observations. It provides valuable insights for both preliminary exam and mains exam, aiding aspirants in understanding space science and planetary defence strategies effectively.

What are Boulders?

A boulder is a large rock fragment with a diameter greater than 25.6 cm (10.1 inches). These rocks can be composed of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic materials, depending on the geological conditions where they formed.

Download the DART Mission UPSC Notes PDF

An asteroid is a small, rocky object that orbits the Sun, formed as remnants of the solar system’s creation over 4.6 billion years ago. Most asteroids are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. NASA's DART spacecraft was launched to test asteroid deflection, targeting the asteroid Dimorphos in a historic planetary defence mission.

What is Planetary Defence?

Our solar system comprises numerous celestial bodies, including small particles and big rocky objects. When these objects hit the Earth they may cause a lot of damage.

To avoid these threats, planetary defence is the joint effort of scientists all around the world to detect, track and prevent possible impacts of asteroids or comets. The cooperation makes sure that hazardous space objects are detected and acted upon early enough before they become dangerous.

A significant planetary defence effort is the DART NASA Mission, a mission aimed to test asteroid deflection and bolster the planetary defence efforts against Earth.

What is the DART Mission?

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is a low-cost spacecraft designed to test asteroid deflection. It features two solar arrays and uses hydrazine propellant for maneuvering.

Additionally, DART carries 10 kg of xenon to demonstrate NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster–Commercial (NEXT-C), an advanced ion propulsion system optimized for deep-space robotic missions.

The DART asteroid spacecraft is equipped with Didymos Reconnaissance and Asteroid Camera for Optical Navigation (DRACO), a high-resolution imager that will transmit real-time images of Dimorphos, the target asteroid.

DART also carries a CubeSat named LICIACube (Light Italian CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids), which will document the impact and crater formation resulting from the collision.

Objectives of DART

• Demonstrate kinetic impact with Dimorphos.
• Alter Dimorphos' orbital period around Didymos.
• Use ground-based telescopes to measure changes.
• Analyze the impact effects and resulting debris.

DART Spacecraft Details

• A low-cost spacecraft with solar arrays (8.5 meters long).
• Navigates to crash into Dimorphos at 6.1 km/sec.
• Mass at launch: 610 kg; impact mass: 570 kg.
• Powered by hydrazine & xenon propulsion systems.
• Equipped with DRACO, a high-resolution camera for navigation.
• Includes LICIACube, an Italian CubeSat to capture impact images.

Planetary Defence & Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)

• Planetary defence helps detect, warn, and mitigate asteroid threats.
• NEOs are asteroids/comets that pass within 50 million km of Earth's orbit.
• DART tests asteroid deflection, supporting NASA’s broader defence strategy.

DART Impact & Observations

• DART successfully crashed into Dimorphos on Sept. 26, 2022.
• Webb & Hubble Telescopes observed the impact in different wavelengths.
• Data helps scientists analyze debris, surface changes, & orbit shifts.
• Observations assist in refining asteroid deflection strategies.

Conclusion

The DART Mission is a groundbreaking test of asteroid deflection, showcasing kinetic impact technology for planetary defence. By altering Dimorphos' orbit, DART provides critical insights into protecting Earth from potential asteroid threats. Its success marks a significant step toward future strategies in space security and impact prevention.