Chinese researchers modeled a two-step planetary-defense mission in which a probe drills into an asteroid before a nuclear device detonates inside it, targeting large objects discovered too late for simpler interception.
Simulations found the deeper blast transfers energy more efficiently than a surface explosion: asteroids around 100 meters could be destroyed, while bodies up to about 1 kilometer could be nudged off course.
A velocity change of roughly 1 meter per second over 60 days was enough in the models, with the study saying longer warning times favor the more complex drilling approach and short notice may force cruder options.
The paper frames the concept as a gap-filler beyond NASA's 2022 DART test, which changed Dimorphos' orbit by 32 minutes but did not address larger or late-detected threats.
Major hurdles remain—an ill-timed blast could leave dangerous fragments, asteroid composition is uncertain, and any real mission would require international approval for launching nuclear devices into space.
How would China's nuclear plan work on a fast-moving 'rubble pile' asteroid?
Could blowing up an asteroid create an even more dangerous radioactive threat to Earth?
Does a nuclear asteroid defense system violate international space treaties?
Nuclear Detonation for Asteroid Deflection: Scientific Promise, Policy Barriers, and the Path to Global Preparedness
Overview
A recent Chinese scientific proposal, led by Xiaowei Wang, has brought renewed attention to advanced planetary defense strategies by exploring nuclear detonation methods to deflect or disrupt massive asteroids that pose significant risks to Earth. This study is a simulation and does not announce any immediate mission or suggest a current asteroid threat, but it adds to the growing research in planetary defense—a field gaining momentum after missions like DART. The proposal highlights the need for preparedness and contributes valuable insights into how nuclear techniques could be used to address the most challenging asteroid scenarios.