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Scientists Have a New Plan for Nuking Asteroids, and It Involves Space Drills

Chinese researchers say burying a nuclear device inside an asteroid could transfer more energy into the rock than a surface blast.

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The idea of nuking an oncoming asteroid isn’t exactly new. I wrote about it toward the end of 2025, and scientists have been kicking the idea around for decades. Believe it or not, while blowing up an asteroid sounds like the most blunt, obvious solution imaginable, there’s actually a surprising amount of nuance in how you do it.

According to a paper published in Space: Science & Technology, Chinese researchers think they’ve found a more effective way that isn’t so explode-y.

The authors of the study argue that detonating a nuclear........

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