China News Service, September 27th, a comprehensive report, the spacecraft carrying out NASA's "Double Asteroid Redirection Test" (DART) mission successfully collided with a spacecraft named "Di" on the 26th local time. Dimorphos asteroid.
Image source: Screenshot of the official account of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on social media
This is a historic test of humanity's ability to prevent cosmic objects from destroying life on Earth.
During this mission, NASA tested planetary defense technology, and if the orbit of "Dimophos" was changed, it would be the first time that humans have changed the motion of natural celestial bodies in space.
"We are ushering in a new era of humanity in which we may have the ability to protect ourselves from something like a dangerous asteroid strike," said Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division.
Rep. Don Byer, chairman of the U.S. Space and Aviation Subcommittee, called the DART mission a "historic success."
The European Space Agency's Hera mission will reportedly launch in 2024 to document the impact's aftermath in greater detail.
The DART spacecraft will launch in November 2021.