ROSCOSMOS – the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation – launches the project to save the Earth from a clash with the asteroid Apophis, which can happen in 2036 according to forecasts of some scientists.
      
      As the ROSCOSMOS head Anatoly Perminov stated on air of the Voice of Russia, one scientist had lately told him that the trajectory of the asteroid is constantly approaching the Earth. Also the astronomer told him that the asteroid is three times bigger than the Tunguska meteorite.
      
      “Calculations show that within the time frames we can create a special space vehicle that will allow avoiding the collision, without annihilating the asteroid or blasting any nuclear explosions” – Mr. Perminov added. “Once the decision is taken, we will promulgate it. The threat of collision can be staved off” – the ROSCOSMOS head emphasized.
      
      It should be mentioned, that NASA specialists consider this collision as quite a remote possibility. Earlier Russian scientists also stated that Apophis is not a Threat to Our Planet.
      
      Source:
      newsru.com
      gazeta.ru
      

Alexander, Los Angeles :
This is a good idea and I am happy that a California's representative resently publicly supported it. In essense there is nothing to loose. If the chances of collosion are small - we (all people of the planet) would have a technology for the future. Moreover the scientific results of such a mission would be great.

Added: 08 January 2010 19:25