If one were really thought likely to hit earth, how long would it take to design and construct the necessary space technology to destroy or deflect it? Would that be possible? anyone have an opinion?
Getting something (bomb or big propulsion system) up there on short notice would be feasible, now that we have SpaceX. The likelihood of zero warming though -- in the words of David Morrison, the first notice we receive is a tongue of fire on the horizon, followed by shock waves, etc -- is still highest. Detection is obviously most important. This is just one we know about.
Could we deflect it towards San Francisco?
We could do it in 6 months................
Given that it is 27 billion kg (roughly 60 billion pounds), and would create a 880 megaton blast, it is carrying a lot of energy to deflect. The best you could is fire some nuclear warheads to fracture the thing into some smaller pieces, but even that would be problematic.
Just the environmental impact statements would take 5-to-10 years...Then add another 10-years for constructing and testing...
On FR I stated, 13-years ago, that the government was probably lying through their teeth about the size and impact probability...They haven't changed a bit...
“If one were really thought likely to hit earth, how long would it take to design and construct the necessary space technology to destroy or deflect it? “
Complying with government edicts to make guys feel more comfortable in girls’ bathrooms and sticking to quotas hiring ‘underrepresented’ people and companies owned by a woman - or just getting the goddam job done?
A small push with ten years until zero hour would do the trick. Waiting until the last year would require a much greater effort for deflection. Must also extrapolate the course correction; so, as to not incur problems through subsequent interaction with other astronomical bodies.