China has announced plans for a space mission to test whether it is possible to change an asteroid’s path by striking it with a spacecraft. The news was revealed by Wu Weiren, a leading scientist in China’s lunar exploration program, during an international conference on deep space exploration that took place in Hefei, Anhui Province.

The mission will follow a method known as “fly-along – impact – fly-along.” It involves two spacecraft: an observer and an impactor. First, the observer will approach the target asteroid to conduct close-up examinations and gather essential information. Then, the impactor will strike the asteroid at a very high speed. Both spacecraft, along with ground-based and space-based equipment, will use high-quality cameras to record the entire collision. Scientists expect to accurately measure changes in the asteroid’s movement and physical structure after the impact.

Asteroids are small, rocky bodies that orbit the Sun. Our solar system contains billions of such objects. They are often referred to as “fossils” from the early solar system because they carry clues about how the planets formed. Although asteroids contain valuable resources such as metals and water ice, those that pass near Earth could also pose a major threat to our planet. This is the reason why China is developing technology to help protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts.

In recent years, China has launched several projects related to asteroid exploration and planetary defense. For instance, in May, the Tianwen 2 probe was sent into space with the aim of collecting samples from a near-Earth asteroid. Additionally, Chinese scientists are developing a monitoring and warning system to detect potentially dangerous asteroids at an early stage. China also intends to cooperate with other countries by sharing data and supporting joint efforts in monitoring and research. The ultimate goal is to ensure that we are well prepared to act effectively should an asteroid ever endanger Earth.