Hmmm. The vast majority of space object's orbits are stable enough in orbits avoiding us:
1. We wouldn't be here if it weren't the case
2. They would have already collided.
Do we really want to destabilize an otherwise random asteroid's orbit unless it's certain it's on a collision course?
1. There are millions (billions?) of other asteroids that come close to us. What makes this one so special? Deflecting this one, even if the deflection works with no unintended consequences, does nothing to improve our odds against getting hit (P = P_one_asteroid * N_asteroids; N_asteroids - 1 ~ N_asteroids).
2. If the deflection destabilizes the orbit, where will the asteroid go but to a nice heafty attractor ?
The only value of this is if we're certain its on a collision course. But if we are, then it too late to deflect!
1. We wouldn't be here if it weren't the case 2. They would have already collided.
Do we really want to destabilize an otherwise random asteroid's orbit unless it's certain it's on a collision course?
1. There are millions (billions?) of other asteroids that come close to us. What makes this one so special? Deflecting this one, even if the deflection works with no unintended consequences, does nothing to improve our odds against getting hit (P = P_one_asteroid * N_asteroids; N_asteroids - 1 ~ N_asteroids). 2. If the deflection destabilizes the orbit, where will the asteroid go but to a nice heafty attractor ?
The only value of this is if we're certain its on a collision course. But if we are, then it too late to deflect!