A spacecraft has successfully smashed into an asteroid – this could one day protect Earth from catastrophe

NASA’S  Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft, known as DART, set out moments ago to deliberately collide with the asteroid Dimorphos. This is the first mission of its kind.

The 700-kilogram Hera spacecraft slammed into a small asteroid at a speed of 14,000 kilometres per hour.

The high-speed impact is designed to create an artificial crater on the surface of the rock.

Over the next two years, Hera will study the artificial crater using its suite of cameras and sensors.

In particular, it will search for signs that the impact has altered the orbit around its larger, sister asteroid.

This information could help scientists better understand how to deflect an asteroid in the future.