FILE PHOTO: This photo taken on July 7, 2025 shows an exterior view of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, east China'a Anhui Province. - Xinhua
HEFEI, China: Chinese scientists revealed their first comprehensive plan for the near-Earth asteroid defence system at a space exploration conference held on Friday (Sept 5), calling for global partners to work together to protect the safety 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, defence and resource utilisation, the conference attracted more than 400 guests from over 40 countries and regions.
Chief designer of China's lunar exploration programme Wu Weiren said during the conference that under the framework of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Chinese scientists have proposed a strategic concept for asteroid defence development.
The concept covers aspects such as monitoring and early warning, in-orbit handling and systematic response, with the goal of building a comprehensive near-Earth asteroid detection and defence system. It includes an integrated, space-ground collaborative monitoring and early warning system capable of precise alerts and routine operation, added Wu, also director and chief scientist of Hefei-based Deep Space Exploration Lab, the conference's organiser.
Near-Earth asteroids are among the most potentially hazardous objects in the solar system. It is widely understood in the scientific community that around 66 million years ago, an asteroid approximately 10 km in diameter struck Earth, leading to the extinction of about 75 percent of global species, including dinosaurs.
On June 30, 1908, the Tunguska explosion in Russia devastated over 2,000 square km of forest. In 2013, a meteor airburst occurred over Chelyabinsk of Russia, injuring 1,500 people and damaging 3,000 buildings.
China has done a series of preparation works for asteroid defence. In 2006, the China National Space Administration launched the near-Earth object survey programme. A white paper released in 2022 detailing China's space programmes outlined plans to demonstrate and develop a near-Earth asteroid defence system.
On May 29, 2025, the Tianwen-2 probe was successfully launched, with the mission of sampling and returning from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3, followed by the exploration of the main-belt comet 311P.
China has also established routine sky-survey capacity. It has deployed telescopes including the one-metre telescope at the Purple Mountain Observatory in East China, the 2.5-metre wide-field survey telescope in Lenghu in North-West China, as well as the 2.16-metre telescope in Xinglong in North China, and the 2.4-metre and 1.8-metre telescopes in Lijiang in South-West China.
In 2014, the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group were established under the UN framework, becoming the two major global organisations for asteroid defence. China has been an active participant in the activities of both organisations.
At this conference, global scientists highly commended China's plan. "The theme of this conference is both timely and highly relevant," said Driss El Hadani, deputy director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. He noted that asteroids are not only of scientific interest, but also present potential risks and opportunities for humanity.
"China's observation data and research findings will be shared with international partners through the IAWN platform," said Wu Weiren. He welcomed global partners to actively collaborate in areas such as joint ground-based monitoring, cooperative development and payload hosting, as well as sharing of data and results.
"From the perspective of safeguarding Earth's security and ensuring the continuity of human civilisation, building asteroid defence capabilities is a shared mission for all humanity." he added.
In July, the International Deep Space Exploration Association, the first China-based international academic organisation for deep space exploration, was established in Hefei. It plans to build a broad platform for cooperation and exchange by organising high-level international academic events and promoting the cultivation of global aerospace talent.
Christian Feichtinger, executive director of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), said at the conference that the asteroid defence is a global endeavour. Coordination is important and that's where organisations like the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory and IAF can play a significant role.
While advancing its deep space exploration efforts, China has emphasised that the exploration and utilisation of space resources should serve the well-being of all humanity. At the conference, Wu Weiren extended a cooperation initiative to global partners, calling for joint efforts to develop the deep space economy, protect our planet and ensure the continuity of human civilisation.
In a sub-forum of this conference, the Deep Space Exploration Lab highlighted ten major sectors as the future trends of deep space economy, including resource utilisation, internet, energy, biology, transportation, smart technologies, construction, tourism, security and cultural creativity.
The United States, Japan, Luxembourg and other countries have already enacted domestic legislation to authorise the development of space resources. The deep space economy represents an expansion of the space economy, characterised by the exploitation and utilisation of resources from celestial bodies.
Near-Earth asteroids are rich in iron, nickel, platinum-group metals, and rare earth mineral resources. Some asteroids may even contain water resources, which could be used for in-situ production and replenishment of propellants and water supplies, thereby reducing the costs of deep space exploration missions.
"We recognise the role of China in the areas of asteroid exploration, planetary defence, and resource utilisation. China has been actively engaged in these domains and has participated in international cooperation efforts that help advance collective understanding and dialogue," said Driss El Hadani.
"We praise China for developing programmes that support and collaborate with emerging nations, creating real opportunities to go to space," said Bernard Foing, vice chair of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) planetary commission and exploration panel. "For instance, upcoming Chang'e missions have issued international calls for payloads, enabling joint scientific progress and new opportunities for emerging countries." - China Daily/ANN
