Hunting for Rocks on Asteroids May Save Earth and Lead Humans to Mars: NASA

NASA announced it would transport a boulder from an asteroid and put it in orbit around the moon.

As part of the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) beginning in 2020, a probe would cruise to one the three-candidate near Earth asteroids and analyze rocks fit for transport. Once it finds the right rock, measuring less than 13 feet in diameter, probe's robotic arms would pick it up for transport. Putting the rock in orbit around the moon could take a few years, NBC News reports.

While on the asteroid, the probe would also test capabilities including influencing the asteroid's trajectory, as part of NASA's efforts to develop technologies for deflecting asteroids hurtling towards the planet.

Astronauts can visit the rock in the Orion capsule under development and return with samples for testing.

The ARM could also help NASA test technologies that could be useful in its endeavor to take humans to Mars. Success of the solar propulsion technology that would propel the boulder-fetcher probe would indicate preparedness to move cargo during manned missions to far space.

NASA has said it would announce the asteroid for ARM in 2019 but has named Itokawa, Bennu and 2008 EV5 asteroids as the three candidates.

"The Asteroid Redirect Mission will provide an initial demonstration of several spaceflight capabilities we will need to send astronauts deeper into space, and eventually, to Mars. The option to retrieve a boulder from an asteroid will have a direct impact on planning for future human missions to deep space and begin a new era of spaceflight," said NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot in a statement.