NASA Successfully Crashes Spacecraft Into Asteroid

NASA successfully crashed the DART spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphous, marking humanity's first attempt to alter the orbit of a planetary body. This mission aims to test planetary defense strategies against potential asteroid threats to Earth. Although Dimorphous poses no current threat, the experiment could help deflect future hazardous asteroids. The impact was a success, but scientists need more time to analyze the trajectory changes. The mission is a significant step in planetary defense, offering hope for future asteroid deflection capabilities.

What was the primary goal of NASA's recent experiment involving a spacecraft and an asteroid?

• To collect samples from the asteroid

• To test the ability to change an asteroid's orbit

• To land astronauts on the asteroid

• To destroy the asteroid completely

How fast was the DART spacecraft traveling when it collided with the asteroid Dimorphous?

• 10,000 miles per hour

• 16,000 miles per hour

• 14,000 miles per hour

• 12,000 miles per hour

What is the significance of the asteroid Dimorphous in NASA's experiment?

• It is the largest known asteroid

• It contains valuable minerals

• It is a test subject for orbit alteration

• It is a potential threat to Earth

What do scientists need to determine after the DART mission's impact?

• The size of the asteroid

• The speed of the asteroid

• The exact change in the asteroid's trajectory

• The composition of the asteroid

What is the long-term goal of NASA's DART mission?

• To develop a method to deflect planet-threatening asteroids

• To establish a base on the asteroid

• To send humans to the asteroid

• To mine resources from the asteroid