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This paper introduces a novel deflection approach based on nuclear explosions: the nuclear cycler. The idea is to combine the effectiveness of nuclear explosions with the controllability and redundancy offered by slow push methods within an incremental deflection strategy. The paper will present an extended model for single nuclear stand-off explosions in the proximity of elongated ellipsoidal asteroids, and a family of natural formation orbits that allows the spacecraft to deploy multiple bombs while being shielded by the asteroid during the detonation.

"The latest idea comes from engineers at Glasgow's University of Strathclyde who suggest that a swarm of laser-wielding satellites could nudge Earth-bound asteroids off their collision course.... One proposed deflection technique involves using lasers to pulverize the surface of the asteroid, ejecting tiny bits of rock that would act as a propellant and push it onto a different course."

The study gave insight that already weak magnetic fields can deflect energetic particles due to charge separation and the formation of strong electric fields

Connected to asteroid deflection? :)

Here is the tractor beam I mentioned from fridays science coffee. At the moment its used for microscopic particles only. This could be looked into to see if it could be scaled up to deflect particles in space

A preview of an educational movie on plant growth. Could be usefull for boom deflection.

Max on New Scientist

lol