MUNICH (IT BOLTWISE) - The German space company OHB has begun planning a possible defense mission against the asteroid 2024 YR4, which could collide with Earth in 2032.
The asteroid 2024 YR4, which was discovered at the end of December, is currently the focus of the international space community. With a size of between 40 and 90 meters and an impact probability of 2.6 percent according to NASA and 2.4 percent according to ESA, it is considered one of the most dangerous celestial bodies currently known. This assessment has prompted the German space company OHB to examine a possible defense mission to prevent a potential impact in 2032.
OHB, which has already gained experience with asteroid missions, sees 2028 as the ideal time to launch such a mission. The Group has developed the Hera probe for ESA, which is currently on its way to the asteroid moon Dimorphos. This mission builds on the findings of NASA's Dart probe, which successfully changed the orbit of an asteroid. A similar concept could also be applied to 2024 YR4 to divert it from a possible collision course with Earth.
The Turin Scale, which classifies the danger of asteroids, places 2024 YR4 in class 3. This means that it is not only of astronomical interest, but also deserves the attention of the public and official bodies. In the past, only the asteroid Apophis has achieved a higher classification, but it is now considered harmless. The possibility that 2024 YR4 could cause major local or regional destruction in the event of an impact makes the development of defensive measures all the more urgent.
International organizations such as the NASA-coordinated International Asteroid Warning Network and the ESA's Space Mission Planning Advisory Group have already begun their work. They are continuously monitoring the asteroid and discussing possible countermeasures. However, concrete proposals have not yet been drawn up, as more precise data on the size and orbit of the asteroid is awaited. The James Webb space telescope should soon provide more precise information.
The development of defense strategies against potentially dangerous asteroids is an important step in planetary defense. Experience from previous missions such as Hera and Dart shows that it is possible to change the orbit of an asteroid in a targeted manner. This could also be the case with 2024 YR4, provided the mission is launched on time. International cooperation and the exchange of data and technologies are crucial in order to protect the Earth from potential threats from space.