NASA plans to launch the device to an asteroid
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Space agency NASA in four years plans to launch the device to work on the asteroid. In 2019 the agency plans to launch the device that can capture an asteroid and alter its flight path for future research. In 2018, NASA plans to launch another asteroid apparatus. According to John Grunsfilda, NASA associate administrator for science programs, the study of asteroids in the solar system gets you closer to understanding the processes of formation of the planets and the Sun.
"A careful study of these objects forms the basis for our future space missions, as well as help protect the Earth from asteroid attack possible", - he said. According to him, after 2020, NASA plans to send a robotic mission to asteroids. Once the space industry to learn to work within the asteroid missions, the agency will begin close to prepare for a manned flight to Mars. Speaking about the asteroid missions, NASA says two scheduled programs, one will go to a small asteroid in the open space, the second - to a large asteroid to collect rock samples for the purpose of scientific research.
Grunsfild says that depending on the amount of funding from one of the missions may have to give. Funding for the projects will be allocated by the end of the year. As the most likely to capture the asteroid's orbit changes and researchers consider the asteroid 2011 MD, discovered three years ago with the help of Spitzer. Whereas a large asteroid to obtain samples of materials - this 1999 RQ36, and with this object is planned not only to get samples, but also bring them to Earth. Last mission budget is 800 million dollars. If in 2020 the unit starts to explore 1999 RQ36, then in 2023 the materials should be brought back.
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