. . . I think this is just plain ignorant . . .

However, Asphaug thinks there's a simpler solution. "You probably can't reliably use a nuclear explosion with predictable consequences," he agrees. But he thinks that simply attaching a rocket motor -- perhaps with some kind of electric or even steam propulsion -- to an asteroid or comet would do the trick, without breaking it into fragments.



"Asteroids and comets are not so fragile that you can't touch them -- they get cratered all the time and don't fall apart," adds Asphaug. "So you just need to apply gradual thrust over time. This can be done more simply without bags of Mylar getting in your way."





As I recall, comets, and not necessarily old comets, also break apart “all the time,” and they leave debris trails wherever they pass. Since comets are “known” to break apart with the simple act of orbiting their primary, it would seem reasonable to assume they would break apart even more if that orbit was suddenly disturbed. Spreading this disturbance across the surface of the comet would ensure a far more delicate maneuver that simply applying a sudden change of thrust to a small area of the comet surface.

The airbag idea also eliminates the need to survey the target for a stable site on which to construct/plant Asphaug’s proposed rocket engine -- which may or may not be of comparable weight to Burchard’s Mylar bag. The planted engine would also need to be very steerable -- at least as steerable as moving a Mylar bag to a new place on the comet/asteroid.

Dan