Michael, my understanding is that the numbers don't add up for this strategy to work unless implemented decades to scores of years in advance- same for "low relative thrust/long term" rocket motors such as ion engines anchored to the surface. Any impactor discovered months to a few years beforehand defaults to the Atari strategy. Certainly it is the most expensive option, and it just costs too much to build the levees to withstand a category 5, right? :( There's the justification for funding inventory searches more aggressively.
Michael Carnes wrote:
For a 'what if' scenario, imagine you've got to get rid of a Temple-Tuttle class comet. Boost up a few truckloads of soot and spread them over the thing. Let the sun take care of it over a few years.
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