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NOVA· Season 41 · Episode 9

Asteroid: Doomsday or Payday?

S41E09·8.5·November 20, 2013·1h·PBS

The asteroid that exploded 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 up at asteroids and see payday, not doomsday. Some asteroids are loaded with billions of dollars' worth of elements like iron, nickel, and platinum. NASA is planning an ambitious mission to return samples from a potentially hazardous asteroid, and 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?

Streaming on (US) YouTube TVPBSPBS America Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelSee all

#1In Season 41of 15 rated episodes
#71All-timeof 287 rated episodes
+1.0vs season avgSeason 41 averages 7.5
2013First airedNovember 20, 2013

Guest stars

Craig SechlerCraig Sechleras Narrator (voice)

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