China plans kinetic impact mission for asteroid defense

China is planning a kinetic impact mission to defend Earth against hazardous asteroids. Wu Weiren, a senior space scientist, announced this at the International Deep Space Exploration Conference. The mission will involve two spacecraft: an observer for close-up surveys and an impactor to strike the target asteroid. The goal is to change the asteroid’s orbit by 3 to 5 centimeters to prevent potential collisions with Earth.

Wu emphasized that near-Earth asteroids present significant risks, stating, "While rich in metals... they are also considered one of the top existential threats to humanity." The China National Space Administration aims to develop a comprehensive defense system including early warnings and effective responses to asteroid threats.