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Scientists believe the technology could save the human race from extinction.

It has been 66 million years since the days of the dinosaurs were brought to an abrupt end due to a crashing asteroid - but now it seems NASA is practising to stop humanity from facing a similar fate.

A harmless asteroid out in the depths of space is the focal point of the first ever trial of an Earth defence test.

NASA is planning to smash its NASA DART aircraft into the rock at a speed of 14,000mph.

The trial, which has cost the government agency £301 million to construct, will take place on Monday and into Tuesday.

Here is everything you need to know about NASA’s latest experiment.

What aircraft is NASA using to smash into the asteroid?

The aircraft that will be used in the Earth defence test is called a DART, which stands for Double Asteroid Redirection Test.

NASA to crash DART aircraft into an asteroid tonight in first ever Earth defence test - how to watch it live

What aircraft is NASA using to smash into the asteroid?