- Chinese astronomers are planning a mission to crash a spacecraft into a near-Earth asteroid, known as the 2015 XF261, to test planetary defence methods by 2030.
- Unlike NASA's DART mission, China's mission aims to directly alter the asteroid's orbit around the Sun and break its structure, targeting a solid asteroid rather than a “rubble pile”.
- The mission involves launching two spacecraft: one will impact the asteroid at over 26 times the speed of sound, while the other will observe the collision and monitor the asteroid for years afterwards.
- The observation probe will carry cameras, spectrometers, and dust detectors to gather unprecedented data on the asteroid's internal structure, composition, and mechanical properties.
- The findings are intended to create the most detailed picture ever made of a small asteroid, helping to understand potential threats from space rocks.
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