Exploding robots may scout hazardous asteroids

January 23, 2007 | Source: NewScientist.com news service

A fleet of exploding probes could prepare the way for warding off hazardous asteroids.

Several of the small spherical robots would land on a single asteroid, some exploding while others listen for vibrations that could reveal the object’s inner structure. Knowing their physical properties will be crucial in devising a mission to divert it.