NASA wants to 'capture' meteorites as a space station

Scientists from the US Aeronautics Agency (NASA) plan to capture a meteorite and change its trajectory to turn it into a space station.

The White House Office of Science and Technology will consider a plan to "capture" meteorites in the next few weeks. If the plan is approved, this will be the first time humanity intends to influence the orbit of a celestial body, Space reported.

The US Aerospace Agency (NASA) and the California Institute of Technology have published a report to show the feasibility of a meteorite catch plan. According to the report, scientists will attach a special chamber to the Atlas V rocket and fire it at a meteorite with a mass of about 500 tons between the earth and the moon.

Illustration of a meteorite near the earth. (Photo: Discovery)

When approaching the target, the special compartment will launch a bag with a diameter of about 15m. The bag will wrap meteorites with a string like a drawstring that people use to tie the mouth of a bag. Then the cavity's propulsion will start automatically to change the meteor's trajectory and bring it to the moon's orbit. After reaching this position, the meteorite will become a moon of the moon and humans can make launches from it. As such, it will serve as an astronaut's transfer station for long flights, such as to Mars, in the future.

"The idea of ​​taking advantage of meteors was born more than 100 years ago, but until now that idea has the opportunity to become a reality thanks to the development of technology," the report said.

NASA leaders do not comment on the plan because they are discussing with the White House. However, some NASA officials believe that the meteorite collection could become a reality within 10-20 years. In addition, meteorite extraction technology will also open a new business: Mining metal and minerals from meteorites. Iron is a key component of some meteorites, so humans can exploit them to build the space station. Some meteorites contain water so scientists can turn water into hydrogen and oxygen as fuel for missiles and spacecraft engines.