Yes. This is real. The Russian Government is working on a plan to take out smaller incoming astroids with their missiles.

Their apparent drive for this is that an undetected astroid about 20 meters wide (or 60 feet) exploded above the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, with an estimated force of 300,000 tons of TNT, shattering the glass of many buildings and leaving over 1000 people injured. To compare, the largest known artificial explosion that was non-nuclear was a missile test in Nevada, only 1,410 tons. The explosion of the astroid over Chelyabinsk was around 212 times larger. It isn’t regular missiles Russia plans to use however. The missiles they plan to use are ICBM’s or Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. These hair-trigger nuclear bombs are designed to be able to launch without delay in times of war. At first glance, it seems generous what Russia is doing.

They claim to not only be protecting their country, but the world as well with their efforts, especially because of the short notice we get from an impending astroid impact. If one takes a little closer look, one major problem comes to mind. These are thermonuclear warheads.

As Michael Burleson stated, “Their idea is good, but it’s shady…” and feels that “it’s a power-play.”

Mrs. Stratton, the Bob Jones astronomy teacher, shared, “I’m not an expert by any means but using nuclear weapons to blow something up in space strikes me as dangerous and reckless.  I am much more in favor of the United States’ plan to shove an incoming asteroid out of the way.  Not sure how effective either of these would be but surely shoving beats nuclear weapons in terms of safety.  I can see where Russian is coming from and we might feel differently if an asteroid has exploded over our country.  And who wants to waste all those marvelous (sarcasm) nuclear weapons that have been stockpiled since the Cold War?  I don’t know what’s involved in the U.S. plan to deflect an asteroid but it can’t be easy.  Detecting these things is probably the most difficult part for both the United States and Russia.”

Russia’s deployment of these missiles is speculated to be ready for launch around 2020, setting a date on the US’s  potential threat. Russia claims to have good intentions, but America has a right to be skeptical.

Mrs. Stratton concluded, “Given the danger of deploying a nuclear bomb over the earth, and that we have the ability to detect large (very destructive) asteroids, I don’t think this is warranted.  Small asteroids are harder to detect but do less damage.  Obviously there are no easy answers here.  And maybe it’s OK to be reminded now and then that there are things we just can’t control, no matter how invincible we think we are.”