The_Jazz

Yes it would, but you would have to somehow make sure that all of the pieces that were going to enter the atmosphere were going to be small enough to either burn up completely or burn down to a small enough size that they would do less damage. You're also running the risk that by shattering them, you're leaving major flaws within the pieces that could cause them to explode in midair, causing as much or even more damage than an actual strike. Remember that thermonuclear weapons being used in an offensive role are set to detonate several miles up to maximize the damage over a wider area.

There are a couple of problems here, but none that are necessarily insurmountable. First, a solar sail would be the preferred method, but you'd probably need to have it completely deployed several years in advance and it would most likely require human flight out to the object to make sure that it is attached correctly since we most likely won't have a very good look at the object, given the time necessary. That's the least likely to cause the object to shatter, but we definitely don't have the technology right now.

As for a solid fuel boster, we still have the same problem with having the requirement of a manned mission to the object, but you also run the risk that the booster will cause the object to shatter or to move in an unforeen way because of balance issues. By definition, you can't turn off solid fuel vehicles, although you could use a series of them to make a number of small corrections. Regardless, it's a difficult and dangerous way to accomplish the task. I still think that if such an object is found tonight and scheduled to hit 5 years from now, the most effective way to either destroy or deflect it is a warhead(s). But I'm not a rocket scientist, nor do I play one on TV.