GadgetMadness: We find the coolest gadgets first

The Gravity Tractor the was developed by two NASA Astronauts who thought the solution depicted in Hollywood's Armegeddon was the stupidest thing they've ever seen. It is a rocket that is launched into space to meet up with the asteroid about 20 years before the etimated impact. There it would fly alongside the asteroid and through the laws of gravity tow it 200 meters off course over the time of one year. This would then allow it to travel far enough off path over the next 20 years that it would eventually miss our planet Earth. For those who have never taken physics and are wondering how a 20 ton rocket can move an asteroid; well basically everything has gravity....the more mass the stronger gravity. Hence Jupiters gravity is much stronger. So in space outside of any strong influences of gravity the very small attraction that exists between the two can go into effect and alter the asteroids course. That is what I think I know about it...anyone who wants to get into more details or correct me. Feel Free.

The Gravity Tractor

Via Wemakemoneynotart