This comes as the likelihood of one hitting earth is closer to 7 years now

China has initiated the recruitment of a planetary defense team in response to the potential threat posed by asteroid 2024 YR4, which has an estimated 2.2% chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. The asteroid, measuring between 40 and 100 meters in diameter, could cause catastrophic damage, comparable to the detonation of over 100 nuclear bombs, if it were to collide with Earth.

The State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) is seeking young professionals with expertise in aerospace engineering, international cooperation, and asteroid detection to join this defense initiative. The primary objectives of the team include developing advanced monitoring and early warning systems, as well as collaborating internationally to enhance planetary defense capabilities.

This recruitment effort aligns with China’s broader strategy to bolster its planetary defense mechanisms. In 2022, China announced plans to establish an asteroid monitoring and defense system, with a potential test mission aimed at altering an asteroid’s trajectory scheduled for as early as 2025 or 2026. This initiative is part of a global movement to address asteroid threats, following NASA’s successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in 2022, which demonstrated the feasibility of deflecting asteroids through kinetic impact.

Asteroid 2024 YR4’s potential impact zone, known as the “risk corridor,” spans several regions, including parts of South America, the Pacific Ocean, southern Asia, the Arabian Sea, and Africa. Countries within this corridor include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. Given the proximity of Nigeria to this risk zone, the developments in China’s planetary defense efforts are particularly pertinent.

While the probability of impact remains relatively low, the consequences of such an event necessitate proactive measures. China’s commitment to enhancing its planetary defense capabilities underscores the importance of international collaboration and technological advancement in safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid threats.