China has launched a recruitment drive for a specialized planetary defense force in response to the potential threat posed by asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 1-in-48 chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. The initiative, led by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND), aims to enhance international collaboration and develop advanced asteroid mitigation technologies.
The recruitment effort is focused on young graduates under the age of 35, particularly those with expertise in aerospace engineering, asteroid detection, and international cooperation. Candidates are expected to hold at least a master’s degree in astrophysics, aerospace science, or Earth and space exploration technology. Their primary responsibilities will involve monitoring and early warning systems for near-Earth asteroids.
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The move comes amid growing global concerns over planetary defense, a field that has gained momentum in recent years. NASA has been engaged in similar efforts through its Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO), established in 2016 to detect, track, and assess the threat of near-Earth objects (NEOs). While NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission claims to have successfully made an effort to alter the trajectory of the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, experts acknowledge that most current planetary defense systems remain limited to hazard identification rather than active mitigation.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first observed on February 7, 2025, by the 8.1-meter Gemini South telescope in Chile. Estimated to be 177 feet wide, it is large enough to cause significant regional damage if it were to impact Earth. However, some experts believe China’s swift response is driven by more than just the discovery of the 2024 YR4 asteroid. Many view the recruitment drive as part of a broader strategy to establish a strong presence in space security and technology, as well as a potential effort to boost employment in a growing sector. Others see it as a response to increasing competition between China and the United States in space exploration and its defense as well.
Moreover, China is preparing for its first asteroid deflection test in 2027, though the mission will target the smaller asteroid 2015 XF261, following a model similar to NASA’s DART experiment. While DART apparently succeeded in redirecting the 530-foot-wide asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, some scientists, including planetary expert Harrison Agrusa from the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, have expressed skepticism about China’s approach. Agrusa has pointed out that striking a much smaller asteroid could risk breaking it apart rather than altering its trajectory, potentially creating multiple hazardous fragments.
Despite the concerns surrounding 2024 YR4, Agrusa has downplayed the immediate danger, stating that existing technology is sufficient to deflect an asteroid of this size. “This asteroid doesn’t need to be feared, it just needs to be studied and understood,” he said.
China’s planetary defense force is not just about asteroid threats — it is a strategic move in global space leadership. And, definitely the competition is not the same that had dictated the two superpowers –the United States and the Soviet Union — in the 1960s when the main desire was to demonstrate the advantages of their political systems to the whole world. But the current rivals have much greater ambitions — not just to plant their flag on the moon, but also to gain a foothold there.
Race to Build Lunar Bases
To establish lunar bases, both are relying heavily on unmanned probes to gather critical data. China plans to launch its Chang’e-6, -7, and -8 missions by the end of the decade, while, NASA’s Artemis program has suffered setbacks, including technical failures, delays, and financial constraints. Adding to the challenges, the agency recently scrapped its much-anticipated VIPER rover mission, originally designed to search for water ice at the Moon’s south pole, citing rising costs.
Despite obstacles, the U.S. retains a clear lead in launching a powerful lunar rocket. The Artemis II mission, set to carry astronauts around the Moon, remains on track. In contrast, China’s Changzheng-10 (Long March-10) rocket is unlikely to debut before 2027, and its larger Changzheng-9 may not be operational until the 2040s.
For crewed missions, the U.S. is relying on the Orion spacecraft, which successfully orbited the Moon in 2022. China, meanwhile, is developing a next-generation spacecraft that has so far only been tested in low Earth orbit. While Orion currently has an advantage, potential delays or technical challenges could give China an opportunity to narrow the gap.
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Lunar landers also pose a significant hurdle. China has developed a small, specialized lander modeled after the Apollo-era modules, expected to be operational by 2030. NASA is advancing on multiple fronts, with its Blue Ghost lander scheduled to touch down on March 2, 2025. Additionally, NASA has partnered with SpaceX, which aims to use a modified Starship for the Artemis lunar landing bid in 2025.
Plans for permanent lunar bases remain in the conceptual stage. Both nations envision modular habitats near the Moon’s south pole, where ice deposits could be used for water and fuel production. The U.S. also aims to construct the Gateway space station in lunar orbit, but progress has been slow, with no modules built as yet.
While the future of the lunar race remains uncertain, both nations are pushing forward despite technological and financial hurdles. Whether China will rival or complement NASA’s efforts remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: lunar exploration is no longer science fiction—it is rapidly becoming reality.