DART impact altered Dimorphos’ orbit and shape, proving asteroid deflection technique viable

DART impact altered Dimorphos’ orbit and shape, proving asteroid deflection technique viable

On September 26, 2022, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission made history by intentionally colliding with the asteroid Dimorphos, significantly altering both its orbital period and physical shape. This is the first time humanity has purposefully altered the motion of a celestial object, as well as the first full-scale demonstration of asteroid deflection technology.