Jeff Bezos’s space technology company, Blue Origin, is collaborating with NASA and the California Institute of Technology to develop a system for defending Earth against potentially hazardous asteroids. The initiative, dubbed the Near Earth Objects (NEO) Hunter mission, aims to integrate asteroid detection and deflection capabilities into Blue Origin’s Blue Ring spacecraft platform.
The partnership, announced earlier this week, will leverage Blue Ring’s modular design to accommodate a suite of technologies intended to scan for, assess, and potentially redirect asteroids that pose a threat to Earth, according to a March 11 post on X by Blue Origin. The Blue Ring platform is capable of carrying up to 4,000 kilograms (8,800 pounds) of payload and is designed for operation in various space environments, including low Earth orbit, cislunar space, and beyond.
The NEO Hunter mission will unfold in two phases. The initial phase will involve the deployment of cubesats to approach and characterize potential asteroid threats. These small satellites will gather data on the asteroid’s composition, mass, and density, informing the selection of the most effective deflection technique.
One proposed deflection method involves an ion beam emitter, which would apply a stream of charged particles to subtly alter the asteroid’s trajectory. This technology is related to ion drive systems previously utilized by NASA, such as those employed on the DART mission.
If an asteroid is too large or moving too quickly for ion beam deflection, the mission will proceed to a second phase, termed “Robust Kinetic Disruption.” This phase mirrors the approach taken by NASA’s successful DART mission, which physically impacted the asteroid Dimorphos to change its orbit. Blue Origin plans for NEO Hunter to execute impacts at speeds reaching 36,370 kilometers per hour (22,598 miles per hour). Prior to impact, a small satellite called “Slamcam” will be released to record the collision, assessing the effectiveness of the deflection and gathering crucial data for mission evaluation.
Blue Origin emphasizes that the Blue Ring platform offers a cost-effective solution for planetary defense due to its modular structure, which features up to 13 connection ports for integrating various payloads. This eliminates the require to construct entirely new satellites for different missions. The company is also developing Blue Ring for other applications, including telecommunications satellites for Mars and advanced orbital awareness sensors.
The collaboration comes amid growing awareness of the potential threat posed by near-Earth objects. Recent events, such as a meteor entering a home in Germany and a close approach by an asteroid, have highlighted the need for enhanced planetary defense systems. While astronomers have cataloged many large asteroids that could potentially impact Earth, no immediate, significant threats are currently identified.
Blue Origin’s partnership with NASA builds on the agency’s ongoing efforts to identify and mitigate asteroid risks. The NEO Hunter mission represents a step toward establishing a comprehensive early warning system and deflection capabilities. The integration of commercial capabilities, like those offered by Blue Origin, with NASA’s expertise is seen as crucial for safeguarding the planet from cosmic threats.
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