China is preparing to launch a spacecraft aimed at colliding with a nearby asteroid, testing the feasibility of deflecting Earth-threatening asteroids like the one that caused the dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago.
Researchers detailed their plans in a recent paper in the Journal of Deep Space Exploration, as noted by The Planetary Society. The mission, set to occur before 2030, targets an asteroid about 30 meters in diameter. Initially, the team considered asteroid 2019 VL5 but has now identified 2015 XF261 as the new target.
The mission will deploy a dual-device spacecraft, comprising an "observer" and an "impactor." The observer probe will reach the asteroid first, analyzing it for three to six months. Following this, the impactor probe will collide with the asteroid, while the observer monitors the effects.
Learning from Deep Impact
NASA has conducted its own planetary defense tests, notably the 2022 Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), which successfully altered the orbit of the 560-foot-wide asteroid Dimorphos. This demonstrated the potential to change an asteroid's trajectory.
To further enhance Earth's defenses, NASA is developing the NEO Surveyor, a space telescope scheduled for launch in June 2028, designed to detect potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.
While no asteroids currently threaten Earth, scientists continue to explore the best defense strategies. Despite geopolitical tensions, China's efforts alongside NASA's work provide reassurance that global efforts are in place to safeguard our planet.
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