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NASA Proposes Nuclear Solution to Threatening Asteroid 2024 YR4

9/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) researchers propose two 100-kiloton nuclear devices to disrupt asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 4% Moon collision risk by December 2032.
Discovered in December 2024, asteroid 2024 YR4 could shed debris threatening satellites.
A 2028 launch is urged for intervention; ethical and budget concerns, and reconnaissance to refine mass estimates, will shape feasibility.

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Story summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) researchers propose two 100-kiloton nuclear devices to disrupt asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 4% Moon collision risk by December 2032.
Discovered in December 2024, asteroid 2024 YR4 could shed debris threatening satellites.
A 2028 launch is urged for intervention; ethical and budget concerns, and reconnaissance to refine mass estimates, will shape feasibility.