A recently discovered asteroid named YR4 has raised concerns about a potential Earth impact in 2032. With a 2.2% chance of collision, the asteroid’s massive size and destructive potential have led to calls for action. Many are turning to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, whose companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin, have the resources and expertise to address this cosmic threat.
The YR4 asteroid, first spotted in December 2024, could cause devastation equivalent to multiple nuclear explosions if it hits Earth. While the European Space Agency has downplayed the risk, the asteroid’s size and trajectory have prompted discussions about how to prevent a disaster. Some believe the answer lies in deflecting the asteroid, while others advocate for establishing human colonies on other planets.
Douglas MacKinnon, a former White House official, has proposed that Musk and Bezos collaborate on a plan to ensure humanity’s survival. Musk’s vision of colonizing Mars and Bezos’ work with Blue Origin could be key to creating off-world bases. MacKinnon argues that spreading humanity across multiple planets is essential to protecting our species from existential threats.
NASA is also exploring ways to redirect the asteroid, building on the success of the DART mission in 2022. If deflection efforts fail, evacuation plans for the affected regions may be necessary. Experts remain optimistic, noting that the probability of impact is likely to decrease as more data is collected. For now, the world looks to innovators like Musk and Bezos for hope and solutions.
