Asteroid Destruction Calculator

Written: 2002-06-03
Last Revised: 2002-06-04

This form will calculate energy requirements for various methods of destroying asteroids. Please note that with very large asteroids, gravity can become significant, thus reducing the usefulness of this data. For an Earth-sized planetary body, gravitational binding energy handily exceeds both fragmentation and vapourization energy.

Input Values

Diameter (metres)

Calculated Values

Volume (m³) Fragmentation Energy
(igneous rock)
  Hard Granite Nickel-Iron Ice
Mass (tons)
Melt Energy
Vapourization Energy
Cratering Energy
Gravitational Binding Energy

Notes