If there are at least a million asteroids, how did spacecraft like Galileo survive their trip through the asteroid belt?
A) NASA sends its spacecraft above and below the orbits of the asteroids in the belt to avoid collisions
B) spacecraft use a magnetic repulsion tool to make sure asteroids do not come too close
C) although there are many asteroids, they are widely spaced (there is lots of space between them)
D) the known asteroids are typically less than a centimeter across, so they do not represent a danger to spacecraft
E) you can't fool me, NASA has lost over a dozen spacecraft to collisions with asteroids

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Although there are many asteroids in the belt, they are widely spaced out, and therefore spacecraft can safely navigate through the belt without colliding with any asteroids. The spacecraft can also be guided along a specific path to avoid any potential collisions. Option A is not entirely accurate as NASA spacecraft do not always travel above or below the asteroid belt, and can fly through the middle of the belt as well. Option B is not a current technology used by spacecraft to maneuver through the asteroid belt. Option D is not entirely accurate as some asteroids in the belt can be much larger than a centimeter across. Option E is also not accurate as NASA has not lost a dozen spacecraft to collisions with asteroids.

If There Are at Least a Million Asteroids, How Did