The real trick of this is: the further back you can intercept a meteor, the less force it takes to keep it out of Earth’s way. Forecasting potential impacts is as important as the launch hardware, if not moreso.
Also, is it just me or does the meteoroid in panel 2 look like Meatwad?
Wouldn’t it be better to practice on something closer and calculated at the last minute? Hitting something close to Earth won’t give the rocket the luxury of accelerating to 15,000 mph.
I’d think it would depend a lot on the physical nature of the object you’re trying to deflect. That is, if it’s a solid hunk of metallic rock, a loose pile of space rubble or anything in between.
Speeding up an asteroid to widen its orbit would work just as well. An actual experiment is required to determine how much of the impact gets turned into heat rather than velocity change.
And where’s that lazy show-off alien saviour of the world Superman? Goofing off with Louis again? Isn’t this asteroid business his job? He never there when he’s needed.
Future newscaster: “Well, it seems there was a slight miscalculation on the asteroid redirection. Instead of it crashing into us in 30 years, how does Tuesday sound?”
We must also remember that an impact to divert a potential cataclysm may bring about a worse disaster when the comet or asteroid or whatever is diverted into the path of and collides with another body that would otherwise have missed Earth, but due to the diversion slams full-force into Bakersfield….
monkeysky over 2 years ago
The real trick of this is: the further back you can intercept a meteor, the less force it takes to keep it out of Earth’s way. Forecasting potential impacts is as important as the launch hardware, if not moreso.
Also, is it just me or does the meteoroid in panel 2 look like Meatwad?
Bilan over 2 years ago
Wouldn’t it be better to practice on something closer and calculated at the last minute? Hitting something close to Earth won’t give the rocket the luxury of accelerating to 15,000 mph.
jasonsnakelover over 2 years ago
One time I ran or whatever at 15,001 miles per hour.
GreasyOldTam over 2 years ago
Winky: “I’m ready. I packed TWO spleens!!”
Jesy Bertz Premium Member over 2 years ago
If NASA ever attempts to shrink asteroids with hydrogen bombs, they should name the program “Preparation H”
cdward over 2 years ago
Also known as TWIT — Try Winky Instead Test.
ACK! Premium Member over 2 years ago
I’d think it would depend a lot on the physical nature of the object you’re trying to deflect. That is, if it’s a solid hunk of metallic rock, a loose pile of space rubble or anything in between.
gopher gofer over 2 years ago
if the dart doesn’t work nasa plans to upgrade to a jart…
arrseetee over 2 years ago
I gotta admit that I am more than a little concerned that a minute mathematical miscalculation might send this thing hurtling towards us.
preacherman over 2 years ago
Winky is an amazing kid. He only injures his spleen and that seems to have remarkable recuperative powers. It’s almost like he’s an android.
blakerl over 2 years ago
Does anyone think playing bumper pool with asteroids is a good idea? We don’t want to go the way of the dinosaur by accident, do we?
tripwire45 over 2 years ago
I wonder how he’ll hurt just his spleen?
ChessPirate over 2 years ago
“AAAA, my as…teroid!”
(¬_¬)
tony_n_jen2003 over 2 years ago
Dodge Dart?
Gent over 2 years ago
His spleen could deflect anything.
mistercatworks over 2 years ago
Speeding up an asteroid to widen its orbit would work just as well. An actual experiment is required to determine how much of the impact gets turned into heat rather than velocity change.
The Brooklyn Accent over 2 years ago
Soon to be renamed as Spill Poor Little Ensign’s Entrails Netherward…
Buckeye67 over 2 years ago
Dr. Mel didn’t exspleen how Winky will redirect the asteroid.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member over 2 years ago
Ow! His spleen!
Gent over 2 years ago
And I thought they’d send Bruce Willis to saves the day.
Gent over 2 years ago
And where’s that lazy show-off alien saviour of the world Superman? Goofing off with Louis again? Isn’t this asteroid business his job? He never there when he’s needed.
WCraft Premium Member over 2 years ago
Sorry – skipped reading this one. You broke the limit of allowable (and attention holding) text allowed in a daily panel. Unless you are Ripley’s….
ekke over 2 years ago
Future newscaster: “Well, it seems there was a slight miscalculation on the asteroid redirection. Instead of it crashing into us in 30 years, how does Tuesday sound?”
winston5610 over 2 years ago
We must also remember that an impact to divert a potential cataclysm may bring about a worse disaster when the comet or asteroid or whatever is diverted into the path of and collides with another body that would otherwise have missed Earth, but due to the diversion slams full-force into Bakersfield….
winston5610 over 2 years ago
I don’t think Winky is the brightest bulb in the flash cube….