Throwback: When NASA’s DART Spacecraft Smashed Into an Asteroid | WATCH

On this day two years ago, NASA me history as its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission successfully crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid, showcasing humanity's first step toward planetary defense through kinetic impact.

This collision occurred on September 26, 2022, and was captured on video, providing scientists and public with an unprecedented view of this groundbreaking experiment.

According to NASA, target of DART mission was Dimorphos, a tiny moonlet orbiting larger asteroid Didymos. As spacecraft approached its target at a speed of 14,000 mph, it transmitted a series of detailed images back to NASA's servers on Earth.

Check out Video by NASA:

All of se final moments were streamed live by NASA, allowing viewers from around world to witness this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

video footage shows DART’s camera view as it speeds toward Dimorphos, with asteroid growing until it fills frame. final image, taken seconds before impact, reveals a rocky, irregular surface before feed cuts out.

After collision, a global network of telescopes observed Didymos-Dimorphos system and found that DART successfully altered Dimorphos' orbit by 32 minutes—surpassing NASA’s minimum goal by a factor of 25.

This mission represents a major step forward in planetary defense, demonstrating that we can intentionally change an asteroid’s trajectory. DART’s success not only enhances our capabilities but also boosts interest in asteroid research and planetary defense.