I remember an old novel about people trying to rejuvenate a planet (probably Mars?) by drilling a big hole down to its core and setting a great deal of bombs (probably atomic bombs?) inside. Probably to resurrect its geothermal energy or magnetic field. Could you help me identifying this novel?

EDIT: As far as I can remember:

• The book I read was a translated book. It could be partially translated to tone down the story suitable for children.
• The hole on a planet, maybe it was already there before the story starts, abandoned by former settlers of the planet. (But I'm not sure about this.)