If the earth just HAD to be moved what technology could we attempt to move it with?

Answer 1

Theoretically, we could pull it off in the very near future, and with the help of some of the laws of Newtonian physics.

Using any propulsion system (Ion drives are the most advanced and efficient drives we have now for deep space), you can nudge a fairly massed (and preferably stable) asteroid into a near-earth trajectory. Using a gravity-assist maneuver, you can transfer some of the asteroid's orbital momentum to earth's, and with repeated passes, boost earth into a higher orbit. This may take a while, since earth is quite massive! Of course, there are risks...your orbital 'tugboat' may crash into earth (not a good thing), earth's rotation and seasonal tilt may get affected, and if your not careful you could wind up ejecting the moon out of orbit.

Answer 2

Nothing is technologically impossible. Well, actually, it is NOW because we don't have what we would need to do it. But technically, we COULD use nuclear energy to create some kind explosion or giant reactors that could move the Earth from it's current trajectory. However, doing that would probably kill every thing living on our planet since changing the distance between us and the Sun will dramatically change the environment here on Earth. If we get closer to the Sun, the temperature would rise and we could crash into the star. Further away from the sun would make the temperature drop, and with less solar energy, the plants would not survive, so oxygen level would drop too, and we would all die. So technologically, yes, it could be possible... one day... But we don't want to do that!

Answer 3

It would be dangerous, but here's a way: a game of cosmic billiards.

Start in the outer solar system, where some orbits are chaotic. Start with small asteroids, and perturb their orbits with nuclear explosions. Set them on a course for near-collisions with other asteroids, perturbing them. Work up to larger and larger bodies being slightly displaced from their orbits in the way you want. Finally, get a large object into position for a near-collision with the Earth, perhaps after swinging around one or more of the major outer planets. This will perturb the Earth into a new orbit. Don't make any mistakes in the calculations!

Answer 4

just sit around and wait, the earth orbits the sun, so it moves by itself.

there is only one way to change that earths current orbit, that is exerting an EXTERNAL force on the earth.

this can happen in several different scenarios. the earth being hit by a moving object large or fast enough to exert a large enough force (think asteroid, comet, or other planet which are all a bit unlikely) a second option is the earth passing through a gravity field of an object outside our solar system. (think star passing close by ours which is even less likely)

just be happy we have a stable orbit, or wed mostlikely not even be here.

Answer 5

I suppose your question is due to the expected burst of the Sun (a few billion years from now) into a red giant and consequent vaporization of our earth.
Given our current capabilities, I would suppose we could build giant immovable rockets, running for years and years, every second changing, however slightly, earth's momentum. Being immovable, by Newton's laws, the fuel being burnt must transfer its momentum to the earth.

Answer 6

I reckon that a solar sail could be constructed to gently guide the Earth to a new position. The trouble is, you need a solar sail even bigger than the Earth itself. The cost and engineering required would be unthinkable.

Answer 7

It is technologically impossible. I don't care how badly the Earth just had to be moved. It is technologically impossible.

What is your premise for conjuring up such a feat, anyway? To get out of the way of an asteroid? Easier to deflect the asteroid, don't you think? To get out of the way of an expanding Sun beginning its death-throes? Easier to master space travel and move on to another habitable solar system, don't you think?

Answer 8

in theory, a large enough explosion could knock it off it's normal revolution around the sun. the thing is, you would need several explosions to keep sending it on it's way. if you had just one big blast, you would destroy the earth, so, you would need to have several smaller ones to gently nudge it away from the sun's gravity.

Answer 9

you have to build a device big enough to hold the earth and strong enough to shift the earth from the powerful gravitational forces acting on it.......

Answer 10

No technology we currently have