Stream now with KPBS Passport!
The asteroid that exploded in the skies over Siberia injuring more than 1,000 and damaging buildings in six cities was a shocking reminder that Earth is a target in a cosmic shooting range.
From the width of a football field to the size of a small city, these space rocks have the potential to be killers. In a collision with Earth, they could set off deadly blast waves, raging fires and colossal tidal waves.
But some audacious entrepreneurs look at asteroids and see payday, not doomsday. In NOVA "Asteroid: Doomsday Or Payday?" learn if some asteroids are loaded with billions of dollars’ worth of elements like iron, nickel and even platinum.
While NASA plans an ambitious mission to return samples from a potentially hazardous asteroid, would-be asteroid miners are dreaming up their own program to scout for potentially profitable asteroids.
Will asteroids turn out to be our economic salvation — or instruments of extinction?
Watch On Your Schedule:
This episode is available to stream on demand with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.
Join The Conversation:
NOVA is on Facebook, and you can follow @novapbs on Twitter. #NOVAnext
