NASA chose the asteroid for the landing

NASA has determined the asteroid, at a meeting to which approximately 10 years can go South American astronauts. The asteroid's orbit MD 2011 takes place in relatively close to Earth, making it a Prime target for space research.

Using orbital telescope Spitzer National space Agency of the United States found that the diameter of the asteroid is 6 m, and its weight is about 100 tons. In consequence of the distinctive features of the structure of the asteroid, its density is very low. Scientists hope that either inside MD 2011 there is a big emptiness, or an asteroid is a separate breed, kept together by gravitational forces.

It is planned that in 2019 to the asteroid will be launched automatic machine, which will throw at him with a metal chain. Astroengine claim that "will put it in the bag". Then the spacecraft will drag the asteroid into a stable orbit around the moon. Approximately in the middle of the 2020-ies to it will be sent manned spacecraft with the crew, ITAR-TASS reported.

There is another variant, according to which the orbit of the moon moved not a whole asteroid, and not a very large part of it. Then as the goal of NASA should choose a larger goal. As said space Agency, the list of favorable interest includes 9 celestial bodies, the search for new applicants continues. The space Agency of the United States said that plans to stay in one of the 2 available data by the end of 2014.

Assistant of the head of NASA William Gerstenmaier said on Thursday that the project can help to prepare "flight of man into space", even at the Red planet, and will contribute to the security of the Earth from asteroid danger. However, a number of South American experts believe that this idea is unlikely to be justified from the scientific, economic and technical viewpoints. As a result, the United States Congress has recently demanded that NASA after painstaking analysis told him what it would cost the state Treasury hunting "asteroid" and how will this affect other

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