Astronomy Picture of the Day · February 21, 2013

Gravitational Tractor

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 21, 2013 is “Gravitational Tractor,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Illustration Credit & Copyright: Dan Durda ( FIAAA , B612 Foundation )). The original explanation runs about 176 words.

From the explanation

“How would you change the course of an Earth-threatening asteroid? One possibility – a massive spacecraft that uses gravity as a towline – is illustrated in this artist’s vision of a gravitational tractor in action.”

— APOD editors, February 21, 2013

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: February 21, 2013
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Illustration Credit & Copyright: Dan Durda ( FIAAA , B612 Foundation )
Copyright: Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 176 words

All of February 2013 → · 2013 by month → · Full archive since 1995 →

Topics in this entry

Asteroids

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: February 21 in other years

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, February 21, 2013 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2013-february-21-gravitational-tractor

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.