In what the world is waiting for, NASA considers an important step in the need to probe human capabilities to protect the planet from destruction and from potential future threats by deliberately ramming an spacecraft into an asteroid to divert it away from Earth.

According to the Washington Post, the size of the DABEL ASTRODE RECOVERY ST was smaller than the size of a car, and it flew into space last November.

The asteroid "Dimorphus" and the larger asteroid around which Didemos orbits the Sun are orbiting about seven million miles from Earth at the nearest point, and therefore there is no need to panic about them.

In a press conference last Thursday, NASA planetary defence department official Lindley Johnson told reporters: "It's an important moment not only for NASA but also for space and human history."

The collision between the spacecraft and the asteroid is expected to occur at 19:14 ET (23:14 GMT) and can be followed via the International Space Agency's live broadcast

In order to strike this small target, the vehicle will head independently within the last four hours of the flight, such as a self-directed missile

Draco cameras, the first images of the asteroid at the last minute, are due to take a second image rate, and it will be possible to see it directly on the ground with only about 45 seconds delayed.

Minutes later, the satellite that separated from the vehicle two weeks ago, will pass near the site to capture and document images of the collision.

The move is to be monitored by a range of telescopes, both on Earth and in space, including the James Webb telescope, and may be able to see a luminous dust cloud.

If the vehicle misses its target, it will have enough fuel for another attempt within two years.