> they're relatively simple to deflect given even with current technology, and a long enough lead time.
and what is this simple method to deflect a large asteroid headed for Earth?
and what is this simple method to deflect a large asteroid headed for Earth?
Essentially you have a spacecraft park itself beside an asteroid. It's gravity will minutely change the asteroids trajectory. With enough lead time that's all you need. Since you're not blowing up, or applying a large focused amount of energy to the asteroid it doesn't matter what the targets composition is. You won't break it up.