NASA successfully deflected a small asteroid with its DART rocket, kinetic strike ejected a significant amount of debris from the asteroid — impact nudges the orbit of the small astronomical body, affecting the larger cosmic object as well

NASA's DART mission successfully altered the orbit of a small asteroid in a binary system by impacting it with a kinetic strike. The impact ejected debris, affecting the asteroid's momentum and orbit, which in turn influenced the larger asteroid in the system. While the changes may seem small, they can have significant implications for planetary defense against potential asteroid impacts. NASA is now developing an orbiting telescope to detect and track incoming asteroid threats, allowing for early intervention to alter their trajectories and prevent potential collisions with Earth.