An extraordinary test by NASA will crash a probe into an asteroid in a bid to develop techniques that defend Earth from potential hazards.
On September 26, a $330million spacecraft is set to slam headfirst into Dimorphos, a small asteroid with a diameter of 170 metres. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is the first experiment to attempt to 'bump' an object out of the way.
Scientists are aiming to change the trajectory of the asteroid. If the experiment works, the findings could then be used to defend the planet from dangerous space rocks or comets, WalesOnline reports.
