tech

March 8, 2026

First time in history: humanity moved a celestial body from its orbit

Scientists confirmed on Friday that a NASA mission successfully slightly moved an asteroid from its usual route around the Sun, representing a key step in the development of planetary defense against potentially dangerous space rocks. This is the first time in history that humanity has intentionally altered the orbit of a celestial body, AP writes.

First time in history: humanity moved a celestial body from its orbit

TL;DR

  • NASA mission successfully and slightly changed an asteroid's orbit, marking a historical first for humanity.
  • The alteration, though minimal, is a key development in planetary defense against potentially dangerous space rocks.
  • The DART spacecraft intentionally collided with asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, a smaller asteroid orbiting Didymos.
  • Scientists calculated that the asteroid's 480-million-kilometer orbit was shortened by approximately 720 meters.
  • The European Space Agency's Hera mission will arrive in November to study the impact's effects.

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