NASA to turn asteroid into space station to orbit the Moon

The 2012 prophesy has not only turned to be false as predicted by NASA but the space agency is going one step forward in squashing any further doomsday prophesies.

According to an article published in a prominent Indian daily, NASA is on a $2.5 billion plan to capture a near earth asteroid and convert it into an artificial satellite.

Original Source

This could however add credibility to those who claim that Phobos is an artificial satellite of mars.

Originally posted by 0pass
Once close, the asteroid capsule would release a 50 ft diameter bag that wrap around the spinning rock using drawstrings, the paper said.

Are you sure this shouldnt be in the "Jokes" section?

Edit - This page appears to the organisation that came up with the plan.

After a bit more background reading, it appears that this report came out in April, and was widely discussed at the time both in the media and here on ATS.

Its not at all clear to me why the media are just "discovering" it again this week.

Anyway, here it is - the Asteroid Retrieval Feasibility Study in pdf form.

It's a cool study, but it's only a study. The title of this thread is misleading.

Read the final report (or at least the Conclusions on page 48) www.kiss.caltech.edu... and note that they talk about an asteroid approximately 7 meters across. A big boulder, basically.

P.S. the media are really taking this up, it seems. Here's a Dail y Mail (which people call Daily Fail) article, with cool pictures. But, as always, the headlines need to be taken with a pinch of salt. There is absolutely nothing on NASA or JPL websites about this project. They are not planning it (planning requires an approval and funding).

Also note that the technology to make this happen might only be available in 10 years, and it would take further 10 years to actually deliver the asteroid to its destination.

Yes. It is a small one. But if they could do it for a small one that itself a big deal. Maybe it is a first step to protecting our planet from bigger ones.

Here is another link on same story from the UK with nice graphics.

UK Daily link

If such thing were done, that would be crazy, like putting your head under the guillotine. Someone may abuse with it and push it at the Earth.

Originally posted by ImpactoR
If such thing were done, that would be crazy, like putting your head under the guillotine. Someone may abuse with it and push it at the Earth.

Yes. That may be bigger weapon than an H Bomb. But I do not think anyone could do it in secret.

reply to post by 0pass


I think the worlds leadership get their ideas from Japanese anime. Everything they propose I have seen watching anime. From the most diabolical to the coolest sci-fi. Anime....they must be huge fans.

reply to post by zedVSzardoz


Off topic...but you'll love the new 2013 release movie "Pacific Rim"...Its like Neon Genesis Evangelion, but this time the robots are fighting giant beasts from the deep......There are some teaser clips out there.
(Not saying is going to be a smash movie or anything, but relates to your comment) .

Forward hooo....Asteroid, aliens etc etc...next.

You guys ever heard of the Collectors? They already did it

Originally posted by 0pass
According to an article published in a prominent Indian daily...

Interesting topic but since when is The Indian Express a prominent Indian daily? Anyway, with simple logic, have you considered the amount of work that would be involved vs. just building a station? If there are plans to test ways to change the path of asteroids, you can bet it has nothing to do with this nonsense and everything to do with progress in weaponry, weapons that can do some serious damage without any projectile. They are already being tested so perhaps someone or some group wants to test on an asteroid. My first thought is that is too much like playing God because that slight shift could reek havoc in various parts of the universe...perhaps mess up the balance of the whole thing.

So two thoughts: A. it's a way to test a new form of weapon and/or B. Man is smart enough to know not to mess with the universe (the ones that understand what this could potentially do) or C. It's just a hoax and as someone suggested perhaps an idea already used in anime...

And re: B. Man is very good at doing things with no consieration of the future of the planet and the people on it...never mind the universe...