China plans to bring an asteroid down to Earth

Chinese scientists plan to capture a small asteroid near Earth to study and potentially mine it for resources. They have targeted an asteroid 6.4 meters in diameter and weighing several hundred tons. A spacecraft with a large bag will capture the asteroid and bring it to Earth. The spacecraft will deploy a heat shield to slow the asteroid from 12.5 km/s to 140 m/s upon entering Earth's atmosphere. The scientists aim to study the asteroid and may choose to mine it for valuable resources.

What is the primary goal of the Chinese scientists' plan regarding the asteroid?

• To send it to another planet

• To use it for space tourism

• To destroy the asteroid

• To capture and study it

What are the dimensions of the asteroid targeted by the scientists?

• 5 meters in diameter and 200 tons

• 10 meters in diameter and 500 tons

• 8 meters in diameter and 1000 tons

• 6.4 meters in diameter and several hundred tons

What is the purpose of the huge bag on the spacecraft?

• To serve as a communication device

• To collect space debris

• To wrap around the asteroid and push it to Earth

• To capture solar energy

How does the spacecraft reduce the asteroid's velocity upon entering Earth's atmosphere?

• By using a parachute

• By deploying a heat shield

• By using magnetic fields

• By firing retro rockets

What might the scientists do with the asteroid after studying it?

• Launch it back into space

• Mine it for resources

• Use it for educational purposes

• Display it in a museum