NASA plans to tow the asteroid back toward Earth , says California Sen. Bill Nelson . `` In a nutshell , the plan in NASA 's hands calls for catching an asteroid with a robotic spacecraft and towing it back toward Earth , where it would then be placed in a stable orbit around the moon , '' read a statement from the office of Florida Sen. Bill Nelson . Astronauts will then travel there to study it . President Barack Obama supports the plan , Nelson says .
NASA plans to tow the asteroid back toward Earth , says California Sen. Bill Nelson . Astronauts will then travel there to study it . President Barack Obama supports the plan , Nelson says .