NASA to study an asteroid that may destroy the Earth -- without even coming close

If asteroid is mined for minerals, it could ruin Earth's entire economy.

It's a staple of science fiction. An asteroid is on a collision course with Earth, so NASA sends a ragtag crew of astronauts to intervene, thus saving humanity. But in reality, the odds are even better that NASA could destroy the Earth, by sending a crew to an asteroid that isn't going to collide with Earth. Confused? We were too.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Science fiction stories about unlikely hero astronauts who save the world from killer asteroids are common. Scientists unanimously agree that such a scenario is virtually impossible anyway, so we don't have to lose sleep hoping Bruce Willis is willing to sacrifice his life to save us.

But there is another reality, one that has the potential to destroy the Earth, and one that NASA is seriously considering. Instead of saving the planet, these astronauts could wreck everything.

Somewhere between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter is the asteroid Psyche. NASA is planning an expedition to this distant rocky body because they have good reason to believe, it is a literal gold mine.

Psyche is thought to be made largely of metal, notably iron, nickel, and gold. If true, scientists think the nickel alone would be worth $10,000 quadrillion dollars. The retrieval of that quantity or metal would destroy our Earthly economy, possibly resulting in a collapse of the global financial system. What happens next is anyone's guess. Nuclear war looks like an option.

Despite the risks in exploring such a world, NASA is pressing ahead with a mission that will launch in 2023 and will study the space rock and verify its composition.

If it is made of precious metals, the powers that be on Earth will need to decide how to handle mining the massive rock.

There is no danger of the asteroid ever colliding with earth. But there is a danger of its precious metals  causing harm on Earth.

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