full at source: The plan put forward by Dr Laughlin, and his colleagues Don Korycansky and Fred Adams, involves carefully directing a comet or asteroid so that it sweeps close past our planet and transfers some of its gravitational energy to Earth.

‘Earth’s orbital speed would increase as a result and we would move to a higher orbit away from the Sun,’ Laughlin said.

Engineers would then direct their comet so that it passed close to Jupiter or Saturn, where the reverse process would occur. It would pick up energy from one of these giant planets. Later its orbit would bring it back to Earth, and the process would be repeated.

Those scientists (sigh)

Definitely an interesting article. Though, Chestnut, I tend to wonder a bit like you. Not sure, if the "wisdom" factor is clear enough.

I mean yeah! sure they can change the earth's orbit but if human attitudes remain the same, "what is the point"? We simply re-create more of what we don't want.

Crackpot scheme, which is surprising from NASA. Wouldn't fancy the chances for most species, including us.

"Theres many a slip between a cup and a lip".

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

Have these people never heard of unintended consequences?

Stupid idea.