In the quest to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts, researchers are turning to laser technology as a promising solution. The concept involves using powerful laser arrays to heat the surface of an asteroid, causing material to vaporize and eject into space. This ejection generates a small but continuous thrust, gradually altering the asteroid's trajectory over time. A notable experiment led by Travis Brashears at the University of California, Santa Barbara, demonstrated that laser ablation could effectively spin up and de-spin an asteroid, showcasing its potential for deflection. en.wikipedia.org
Building on these findings, the European Space Agency's Hera mission aims to assess the kinetic impactor method for asteroid deflection. Scheduled for launch in 2028, Hera will rendezvous with the binary asteroid system Didymos and Dimorphos to study the effects of a deliberate impact on an asteroid's trajectory. This mission will provide valuable data on the efficiency of deflection techniques and enhance our understanding of asteroid composition and structure. en.wikipedia.org