What if a space rock ever took aim at our planet? This is something we only see in Hollywood movies. But, NASA has taken the matter damn seriously many years ago and they are stepping the extremes this time.

NASA is considering a human mission to a near-Earth asteroid estimating the scientific value of the attempt while testing out spacecraft gear, as well as mastering techniques that could prove useful if the destructive rock ever aims us.

A human mission to a near-Earth asteroid would be scientifically valuable. This can be summarized as the first step to revisit the Moon, then do the asteroid, and then Mars. It could be part of an overall program of understanding these objects. Also, it would be useful, instrumentally, in terms of understanding the threat they pose to the Earth. The asteroid mission would be an intermediate step to the Mars mission.

There are some people who consider the whole idea as a massive conspiracy of fools to avoid going to Mars but they would not surely like a piece of rock hitting their roof and destroying the whole city. Moreover, we can not forget our earth even if we are able to settle on the red giant. Near-Earth objects (NEOs) are potential objectives for the Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV) and its Ares I launcher, even though the Ares/Orion stack is being developed for a lunar return, while future efforts would sustain missions to Mars and beyond.

Via: msnbc