NASA Warns of Huge Asteroid Heading Towards Earth

There's a theoretical possibility it could someday strike the planet, but current calculations suggest that's not a problem.

However, there is another value in this asteroid, as it has the potential to be the location of robotic exploration missions.

Currently, no such mission is planned, but it is theoretically possible. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory computes data for a hypothetical exploratory mission to an asteroid.

According to this calculation, it will have a delta-v (a measure of various values and a factor that determines how difficult it is to maneuver properly when a spacecraft takes off and/or lands) of 9.851 km/s. For comparison, that figure is around delta-v for launching a rocket into low orbit.

Asteroid exploration is a major field in astronomy, and many space agencies have expressed interest in exploring the many large objects in the solar system.

In October, the United Arab Emirates announced plans for a new mission to explore asteroids, and will become the first Arab country to successfully land a spacecraft on an asteroid.

It is planned to launch in 2028 with a development time of seven years for the spacecraft, the mission will see the UAE explore the planet Venus, as well as seven asteroids, culminating in a planned landing on the asteroid itself in 2033 after five years of missionary journeys.

Three countries have landed on asteroids in the past, and many see them as a possible source for future mining operations, as these asteroids can be rich in raw materials.