China mobilises planetary defence team as 2024 YR4 asteroid raises global alarm
The 2024 YR4 asteroid, estimated to measure between 40 and 90 metres (approximately 130 to 300 feet), was identified by the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Astronomy in late December.
In response to growing concerns regarding the 2024 YR4 asteroid, the Chinese defence agency has established a dedicated planetary defence team. Following an update from the European Space Agency (ESA), which reported a 2.2 per cent probability of the asteroid impacting Earth in 2032, immediate action has been triggered globally to address this potential threat.
The 2024 YR4 asteroid, estimated to measure between 40 and 90 metres (approximately 130 to 300 feet), was identified by the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Astronomy in late December. The increase in its collision probability has surpassed international monitoring thresholds, prompting a concerted effort for response measures.
In the weeks following this discovery, the Centre for Special Projects, part of China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence, announced the recruitment for three positions focused on planetary defence. This initiative aims to engage graduates in asteroid monitoring and develop early warning systems to mitigate potential impacts.
Several methods exist to prevent an asteroid from colliding with Earth. Notably, in 2022, NASA achieved the world’s first successful planetary defence test by altering an asteroid’s trajectory through direct collision, marking a pivotal advancement in safeguarding against such celestial threats.
