Chinese scientists unveil blueprint for asteroid protection and useful resource utilization, name for intl collaboration

HEFEI — Chinese scientists revealed their first complete plan for the near-Earth asteroid protection system at an area exploration convention held on Friday, calling for world companions to work collectively to guard the security of our planet.

The third International Deep Space Exploration Conference was held in Hefei, East China’s Anhui province, from Thursday to Friday. Focusing on asteroid exploration, protection and useful resource utilization, the convention attracted greater than 400 friends from over 40 international locations and areas.

Asteroid protection program

Chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program Wu Weiren mentioned in the course of the convention that below the framework of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), Chinese scientists have proposed a strategic idea for asteroid protection improvement.

The idea covers points equivalent to monitoring and early warning, in-orbit dealing with, and systematic response, with the objective of constructing a complete near-Earth asteroid detection and protection system. It contains an built-in, space-ground collaborative monitoring and early warning system able to exact alerts and routine operation, added Wu, additionally director and chief scientist of Hefei-based Deep Space Exploration Lab, the convention’s organizer.

Near-Earth asteroids are among the many most probably hazardous objects within the photo voltaic system. It is extensively understood within the scientific neighborhood that round 66 million years in the past, an asteroid roughly 10 km in diameter struck Earth, resulting in the extinction of about 75 p.c of world species, together with dinosaurs.

On June 30, 1908, the Tunguska explosion in Russia devastated over 2,000 sq. km of forest. In 2013, a meteor airburst occurred over Chelyabinsk of Russia, injuring 1,500 individuals and damaging 3,000 buildings.

China has performed a collection of preparation works for asteroid protection. In 2006, the China National Space Administration launched the near-Earth object survey program. A white paper launched in 2022 detailing China’s area packages outlined plans to show and develop a near-Earth asteroid protection system.

On May 29, 2025, the Tianwen-2 probe was efficiently launched, with the mission of sampling and coming back from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3, adopted by the exploration of the main-belt comet 311P.

China has additionally established routine sky-survey capability. It has deployed telescopes together with the 1-meter telescope on the Purple Mountain Observatory in East China, the two.5-meter wide-field survey telescope in Lenghu in Northwest China, in addition to the two.16-meter telescope in Xinglong in North China, and the two.4-meter and 1.8-meter telescopes in Lijiang in Southwest China.

International cooperation

In 2014, the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) had been established below the UN framework, turning into the 2 main world organizations for asteroid protection. China has been an lively participant within the actions of each organizations.

At this convention, world scientists extremely recommended China’s plan. “The theme of this conference is both timely and highly relevant,” mentioned Driss El Hadani, deputy director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). He famous that asteroids should not solely of scientific curiosity, but additionally current potential dangers and alternatives for humanity.

“China’s observation data and research findings will be shared with international partners through the IAWN platform,” mentioned Wu Weiren. He welcomed world companions to actively collaborate in areas equivalent to joint ground-based monitoring, cooperative improvement and payload internet hosting, in addition to sharing of information and outcomes.

“From the perspective of safeguarding Earth’s security and ensuring the continuity of human civilization, building asteroid defense capabilities is a shared mission for all humanity.” he added.

In July, the International Deep Space Exploration Association (IDSEA), the primary China-based worldwide educational group for deep area exploration, was established in Hefei. It plans to construct a broad platform for cooperation and alternate by organizing high-level worldwide educational occasions and selling the cultivation of world aerospace expertise.

Christian Feichtinger, government director of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), mentioned on the convention that the asteroid protection is a worldwide endeavor. Coordination is necessary and that is the place organizations just like the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory and IAF can play a big position.

Resource for humanity

While advancing its deep area exploration efforts, China has emphasised that the exploration and utilization of area sources ought to serve the well-being of all humanity. At the convention, Wu Weiren prolonged a cooperation initiative to world companions, calling for joint efforts to develop the deep area economic system, shield our planet, and make sure the continuity of human civilization.

In a sub-forum of this convention, the Deep Space Exploration Lab highlighted ten main sectors as the longer term traits of deep area economic system, together with useful resource utilization, web, vitality, biology, transportation, good applied sciences, building, tourism, safety, and cultural creativity.

The United States, Japan, Luxembourg and different international locations have already enacted home laws to authorize the event of area sources. The deep area economic system represents an enlargement of the area economic system, characterised by the exploitation and utilization of sources from celestial our bodies.

Near-Earth asteroids are wealthy in iron, nickel, platinum-group metals, and uncommon earth mineral sources. Some asteroids might even comprise water sources, which might be used for in-situ manufacturing and replenishment of propellants and water provides, thereby lowering the prices of deep area exploration missions.

“We recognize the role of China in the areas of asteroid exploration, planetary defense, and resource utilization. China has been actively engaged in these domains and has participated in international cooperation efforts that help advance collective understanding and dialogue,” mentioned Driss El Hadani.

“We praise China for developing programs that support and collaborate with emerging nations, creating real opportunities to go to space. For instance, upcoming Chang’e missions have issued international calls for payloads, enabling joint scientific progress and new opportunities for emerging countries,” mentioned Bernard Foing, vice chair of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) planetary fee and exploration panel.