Eleven days have left, cycle was about to begin. As things continued at their own pace, the city was slowly returning to a sense of normalcy. Beyond the borders of Devanagar, theories were swirling around the world.
Unbeknownst to many, a looming threat was on the horizon.
Governments around the globe were growing increasingly concerned.
Space agencies like NASA, ESA, and ISRO were closely monitoring the movements of meteoroid.
Scientists at NASA were working tirelessly to convince the U.S. government to take this threat seriously.
However, the government's official were cautious, as they didn't want to violate any international treaties.
NASA ran various programs aimed at detecting and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs).
These programs, including the Near-Earth Object Observations Program (NEOO) and the Planetary
Defence Coordination Office (PDCO), used telescopes on the ground and in space to identify and track asteroids and comets that came close to our planet.
In the certain situation where a hazardous object is identified with a significant probability of impact, NASA and other space agencies worldwide would develop strategies to mitigate the threat.
The choice of mitigation strategy depends on factors like the object's size, composition, and the amount of time available before the predicted impact.
These are the some potential mitigation strategies include:
Deflection: Launching a spacecraft to intercept the object and change its trajectory, either by using kinetic impactors (striking the object) or by employing a gravity tractor (using a spacecraft's gravity to gradually alter the object's course).
Fragmentation: Breaking the object into smaller, less dangerous pieces using kinetic impactors.
Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness: Preparing for the possibility of an impact by developing evacuation plans and ensuring that emergency response agencies are ready to respond to the consequences.
The plan had been finalized through collaboration with agencies from all corners of the globe.
Scientists had gathered at NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations Program, located atop the summit of Haleakalā on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii.
This program, known as Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System), played a vital role in detecting NEOs.
Dr. Sarah Carter, the leader of this mission, presented her ground-breaking idea to the head of NASA's department, Bill Nilsson. Sarah was of moderate height, standing at around 5 feet 7 inches. She had a well-proportioned, athletic build, Sarah's hair was a rich chestnut brown, cascading down to her shoulders in a loose, wavy style.
It framed her face with an air of natural elegance, adding to her striking appearance.
Bill tirelessly advocated for the project with the U.S. government, even though they initially rejected it in favour of safer and more cost-effective tactics.
However, as scientists and agencies worldwide raised their concerns with their respective governments, the tide began to turn.
Although the project carried a substantial level of risk, no country had ever attempted something of this magnitude.
The stakes were enormous for the U.S. government. If the mission failed, it could lead to catastrophic destruction, potentially becoming a threat to Earth itself.
After exhaustive analysis and research, they found themselves with only one viable option, and there were no alternatives left to explore.
Meanwhile, Russia had initiated its Kinetic Impactors program, a mitigation strategy involving the launch of a spacecraft equipped with a kinetic impactor.
This spacecraft was designed to intercept the meteoroid and collide with it at high speed, with the aim of altering the object's velocity and trajectory to divert it away from Earth.
Unfortunately, Russia's attempt fell short of the expected distance, and the calculations made by their scientists did not align with the actual outcome.
Consequently, NASA was initially hesitant to pursue a similar operation to Russia's.
They explored alternative strategies, but ultimately, they decided to follow a similar approach – launching a spacecraft to alter the meteoroid's trajectory by changing its angle.
This decision was driven by the urgency of the situation and the limited options available.
Following Russia's unsuccessful attempt, the idea of using kinetic impactors was abandoned.
Dr. Sarah Carter, however, proposed an unconventional plan that initially garnered little support. Many scientists regarded it as a high-risk endeavour, often dubbing it a "suicide mission" and advising against its pursuit.
Sarah's plan involved Nuclear Deflection as a last resort. In extreme cases, when all other methods proved insufficient, a nuclear explosion near the meteoroid could be considered.
The goal here was to disrupt the object's trajectory without necessarily shattering it into pieces.
The decision to opt for this nuclear option would require a comprehensive risk assessment and international cooperation.
Three weeks ago, when Sarah presented this idea to her superior, Bill, he harbored doubts about whether the U.S. government would authorize it due to the potential international consequences involving space debris.
The Outer Space Treaty, signed by the United States and numerous other nations, explicitly prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space, adding a layer of complexity to the decision-making process.
Finally at the UN council meeting where every nation's representative's gathered and they agreed on to authorize the use of nuclear weapons in space just for the first and last time in order to tackle the problem in front of them.
This agreement was a momentous one, representing a global consensus forged through intensive negotiations and cooperation among nations.
The importance of this agreement cannot be understated, especially when considering the complex history of international treaties and environmental challenges.
In the days leading up to the UN council meeting, the world's governments faced a critical choice.
Each country had its own interests, concerns, and policies to consider.
Some nations, particularly those with advanced space capabilities, have their own interest as they saw the potential use of nuclear weapons
Conversely, other countries expressed reservations, fearing the militarization of space and the potential for space debris to pose risks to orbiting satellites and the International Space Station.
As the launch date drew closer, with just three days left on the countdown, preparations were in full swing, and the optimism surrounding the mission was palpable.
The prospects of success were exceptionally high, and the entire world was captivated by the unfolding events.
News outlets buzzed with anticipation, and social media platforms overflowed with messages of hope and praise for the dedicated scientists.
Dr. Sarah Carter found herself thrust into the spotlight, receiving accolades from all corners.
Her interviews became viral sensations, and her words resonated deeply with people, sparking a mixture of awe and trepidation.
Her statements, while inspiring, also carried a weight of responsibility and urgency that sent shivers down spines:
"We stand at the brink of a momentous change, one that has the potential to reshape the course of human history. The fate of our species rests squarely in our hands. We have a choice to make, a choice that will determine the future we leave for generations to come. We can opt for self-preservation, turning a blind eye to the world's plight, or we can unite, forging a new path towards a brighter future where peace and harmony prevail. The power to decide lies within each of us."
The possibility of a mission failure and the inherent risks associated with using nuclear weapons in space had already sparked anxiety among the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The realization that their lives were potentially in danger created a sense of panic within the confines of the ISS, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
This heightened state of concern and the well-being of the ISS crew were key factors that had initially made governments and space agencies hesitant to resort to nuclear measures.
They recognized the need for a comprehensive backup plan to ensure the safety of the astronauts in case the primary mission didn't succeed.
To address this critical issue, the United States and other international space agencies swiftly implemented Evacuation Plans.
These plans were designed to provide a clear and decisive course of action in the event of a mission failure or any unforeseen complications related to the use of nuclear weapons in space.
The primary objective was to ensure the safe return of the ISS crew to Earth using the available spacecraft.
Before launching the mission, astronauts begins their preparation to evacuate, as the plan was already on board, when at UN council which was held sixteen days ago.
The ISS is designed to be operated by astronauts, but it also has some automated and remote-controlled systems that can keep it operational for a period of time without a crew on board
The ISS could continue to function to some extent without a crew on board, but its capabilities would be limited, and its long-term health and functionality would be at risk.
The safety of the crew was the top priority, and after a meticulous evacuation process that spanned several hours, the astronauts successfully landed back on Earth.
However, the ISS remained a critical asset, and its continued operation was of paramount importance to the government due to the substantial financial investment made in the station.
With the crew safely on Earth, the ISS was now being remotely operated from mission control centers on the ground.
While not all of the station's functionalities could be managed from Earth, crucial systems and operations could still be maintained.
However, a sense of anticipation and curiosity filled the control rooms as scientists and mission control personnel monitored the ISS closely.
In one of the control rooms, a newly appointed mission controller, noticed an unexpected movement within the ISS.
This movement was not natural or indicative of human activity. It caught the attention of everyone present, leading to a flurry of discussions and speculations.
Dr. Sarah Carter and her team quickly assembled to investigate this anomaly.
They needed to determine the source and nature of this mysterious movement inside the ISS, which had been left completely alone in the vacuum of space.
The sense of curiosity and the need for answers prevailed as they embarked on uncovering this intriguing development.