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Learn More About Our Science and Technology Back New nuclear deflection simulations advance planetary defense against asteroid threats modeling tool for assessing the potential use of a nuclear device to defend the planet against catastrophic asteroid impacts (Download Image) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Physicist Mary Burkey developed a novel approach to simulating the energy deposition from a nuclear device on an asteroid's surface. Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed a modeling tool for assessing the potential use of a nuclear device to defend the planet against catastrophic asteroid impacts. The research, published today in the Planetary Science Journal, introduces a novel approach to simulating the energy deposition from a nuclear device on an asteroid's surface. This new tool improves our understanding of the nuclear deflection's radiation interactions on the asteroid's surface while opening the door to new research on the shockwave dynamics affecting the inner asteroid. This model will allow researchers to build upon the insights gained from NASA's recent Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, where, in September 2022, a kinetic impactor was deliberately crashed into an asteroid to alter its trajectory. However, with limitations in the mass that can be lifted to space, scientists continue to explore nuclear deflection as a viable alternative to kinetic impact missions. Nuclear devices have the highest ratio of energy density per unit of mass of any human technology, making them an invaluable tool in mitigating asteroid threats, said LLNL physicist Mary Burkey, who led the research. Burkey_AsteroidSim_4-Panel A modeling tool developed by scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory shows the progression an asteroid being broken up by a theoretical nuclear device detonated near the the surface of the near-Earth object. Graphic illustration courtesy of Mary Burkey. "If we have enough warning time, we could potentially launch a nuclear device, sending it millions of miles away to an asteroid that is headed toward Earth," Burkey said. "We would then detonate the device and either deflect the asteroid, keeping it intact but providing a controlled push away from Earth, or we could disrupt the asteroid, breaking it up into small, fast-moving fragments that would also miss the planet." Accurate predictions for the effectiveness of nuclear deflection missions rely on sophisticated multiphysics simulations, Burkey said, explaining that LLNL simulation models cover a wide range of physical factors, which makes them complex and computationally demanding. The paper introduces an efficient and accurate library of X-ray energy deposition functions, developed using the Kull radiation-hydrodynamics code. High-fidelity simulations tracked photons penetrating surfaces of asteroid-like materials such as rock, iron, and ice, while accounting for more complex processes, such as reradiation. The model also considers a diverse set of initial conditions, including different porosities, source spectra, radiation fluences, source durations, and angles of incidence. This comprehensive approach makes the model applicable to a wide range of potential asteroid scenarios. Should a real planetary defense emergency arise, high-fidelity simulation modeling will be critical in providing decision-makers with actionable, risk-informed information that could prevent asteroid impact, protect essential infrastructure and save lives, explained Megan Bruck Syal, LLNL's planetary defense project lead. "While the probability of a large asteroid impact during our lifetime is low, the potential consequences could be devastating," Bruck Syal said. Led by Burkey, LLNL's research team included co-authors Robert Managan, Nicholas Gentile, Bruck Syal, Kirsten Howley and Joseph Wasem. The planetary defense group at LLNL works on a variety of projects in collaboration with research institutions, including Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office, NASA Goddard, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Ames and the U.S. Geological Survey. Dec. 19, 2023 Contact Paul Rhein portrait Paul Rhien [email protected] (925) 422-4206 Related Links Planetary Science Journal NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission Tags Earth and Atmospheric Science Atmospheric, Earth, and Energy Planetary Defense Science Featured Articles Featured Article New analysis outlines national opportunities to remove CO2 at the gigaton scale Featured Article Geophysicist characterizes the earth while forming community at Livermore Featured Article Record-setting SC23 builds mile-high momentum for exascale computing, AI, and the future of HPC LLNL.GOV * Our Purpose * Our Science and Technology * Join Our Team * Partner with Us * News * Community and Education * About LLNL ORGANIZATIONS * Computing * Engineering * Global Security * National Ignition Facility and Photon Science * Operations and Business * Physical and Life Sciences * Strategic Deterrence RESOURCES * Contact * Visiting * Emergency Communication * Research Ethics * Disclaimer * Copyright and Reuse * Sitemap STAY CONNECTED STAY CONNECTED LLNL.GOV * Our Purpose * Our Science and Technology * Join Our Team * Partner with Us * News * Community and Education * About LLNL ORGANIZATIONS * Computing * Engineering * Global Security * National Ignition Facility and Photon Science * Operations and Business * Physical and Life Sciences * Strategic Deterrence RESOURCES * Contact * Visiting * Emergency Communication * Research Ethics * Disclaimer * Copyright and Reuse * Sitemap STAY CONNECTED LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | 7000 East Avenue * Livermore, CA 94550 | LLNL-WEB-458451 Operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration Learn about the Department of Energy's Vulnerability Disclosure Program LLNS U.S. DOE NNSA Home Disclaimer Privacy Notice * Our Purpose + Our Mission + Management and Sponsors + Our History o Our History - 1950s o Our History - 1960s o Our History - 1970s o Our History - 1980s o Our History - 1990s o Our History - 2000s o Our History - 2010s o Our History - 2020s * Our Science and Technology + Advanced Materials and Manufacturing + Bioscience & Bioengineering + Earth and Atmospheric Science + Facilities and Centers + High-Energy-Density Science + HPC, Simulation and Data Science + Lasers and Optical Science and Technology + Nuclear, Chemical and Isotopic Science and Technology * Join Our Team + Careers o Career Areas o Students o Postdocs o Events & Resources o LCA Notifications o Affiliate Opportunities o Accessibility + Culture + Diversity * Partner With Us * News + Media Contacts + Media Library + Publications + Lab Report + Fact Sheets + Social Media * Community and Education + Discovery Center + Community Giving + Science Education + Environment, Safety, and Health + SWEIS + Employee and Retirement Resources o Want Ads o In Memoriam + Tours * About LLNL + Our Leadership + By the Numbers + Our Organizations o Operations and Business + Protocol and Special Events + Visiting + Directions + Contact [matomo]