NASA issues alarming warning: 'City killer' asteroid could strike Moon in 2032, threatening Earth’s satellites

A potentially devastating asteroid, ominously nicknamed a "city killer," is projected to collide with the Moon, raising concerns among scientists about potential repercussions for Earth. While asteroid 2024 YR4 is no longer considered a direct threat to our planet, NASA estimates a 4.3% probability of it impacting the lunar surface on December 22, 2032.

If the asteroid hits, the resulting explosion could eject approximately 10,000 tonnes of lunar debris into space. Earth's gravitational pull could then draw a significant portion of this debris into orbit, posing a serious risk to crucial satellites and infrastructure.

Simulations Indicate Historic Lunar Impact

Dr. Paul Wiegert, from the University of Western Ontario, conducted simulations revealing the 60-meter diameter asteroid could strike the Moon at speeds exceeding 29,000 mph. This impact is likely to create a crater 0.6 miles wide, potentially marking the largest lunar collision in over 5,000 years. While the Moon would bear the direct impact, the primary concern revolves around the debris propelled into space.

Earth in the Potential Line of Fire

Dr. Wiegert's team estimates that 10% to 30% of the ejected lunar material, ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 millimeters, could be drawn towards Earth by its gravity. Although seemingly small, these high-speed fragments could cause significant disruption by damaging or disabling satellites. "We were a little bit surprised at the possibility of there being a substantial amount of material at the Earth," Dr. Wiegert told New Scientist.

Potential Decade's Worth of Satellite Damage

Simulations suggest this space shrapnel could increase particle impact rates by a factor of 10 to 1,000 above normal levels, potentially causing satellite failures across multiple orbits. Dr. Wiegert cautions that systems like SpaceX's Starlink and other satellite constellations could experience "hundreds to thousands" of micro-impacts. This could lead to widespread communication blackouts and GPS malfunctions.

Risks to Lunar Missions and Astronaut Safety

The threat extends beyond Earth. NASA's upcoming Lunar Gateway space station and Artemis lunar missions could also be jeopardized. Rovers, landers, and even astronauts on or near the Moon could be exposed to debris traveling at lethal speeds. A 1mm particle could damage solar cells or pierce space suits, while larger fragments up to 10mm could breach spacecraft interiors.

Call for Coordinated Space Response

Professor Mark Burchell of the University of Kent emphasized the severity of multiple simultaneous satellite failures. "A lot of satellites failing at once is worse than occasional failures spread over a decade," he stated, emphasizing that simultaneous outages would strain resources and emergency response systems. Preventive strategies and shielding technologies may become critical priorities.

Although the current risk of impact is calculated at 4.3%, NASA and other international agencies are actively monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4. Initial observations by the James Webb Space Telescope helped rule out an Earth-bound strike, but the trajectory towards the Moon will continue to be reassessed as new data becomes available. Scientists concur that while the event is not certain, preparing for potential consequences is crucial.