Core Viewpoint - The article discusses China's plans for asteroid exploration, defense, and resource utilization, emphasizing the importance of building a comprehensive asteroid defense system and the potential economic value of asteroid resources [3][10]. Group 1: Asteroid Characteristics and Threats - Asteroids are remnants from the solar system's formation, categorized into various types, including near-Earth asteroids, which pose significant threats to Earth [4][6]. - Historical asteroid impacts have caused massive destruction, including the extinction of dinosaurs and recent events causing injuries and property damage [6][7]. Group 2: Current Research and Exploration Efforts - Various countries have undertaken missions to explore and study asteroids, with notable examples including Japan's Hayabusa missions and China's Chang'e program [5]. - The U.S. and European Space Agency have successfully tested asteroid deflection techniques, demonstrating the feasibility of kinetic impactor technology [5]. Group 3: China's Strategic Plans - China is developing a near-Earth asteroid detection and defense system, focusing on monitoring, on-orbit disposal, and response strategies [8]. - A demonstration mission is planned for around 2027 to test kinetic impact techniques on a target asteroid, aiming to change its orbit and gather critical data [9]. Group 4: Economic Potential of Asteroids - Asteroids contain valuable resources, including metals and water, which could support future space economies [10][11]. - Estimates suggest that over 700 of the 1,000 well-studied asteroids have individual values exceeding $100 trillion, with the total resource development value in the asteroid belt projected to exceed $70 trillion over the next 30 years [11].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significance of asteroid exploration, defense, and resource utilization, highlighting the potential threats posed by near-Earth asteroids and the need for international collaboration in addressing these challenges [4][7][10]. Group 1: Asteroid Characteristics and Distribution - The solar system contains billions of asteroids, categorized into near-Earth asteroids, main belt asteroids, Trojan asteroids, centaur asteroids, and Kuiper belt asteroids, serving as "living fossils" of solar system formation and evolution [5]. - Near-Earth asteroids are defined as those with a perihelion distance of less than 1.3 AU, and they are rich in resources such as iron, nickel, platinum group metals, and water ice [5][6]. Group 2: Exploration and Defense Initiatives - Japan's Hayabusa mission successfully returned samples from the Itokawa asteroid, while China's Chang'e 2 conducted a flyby of the Toutatis asteroid, showcasing advancements in asteroid exploration [6]. - The U.S. has successfully implemented kinetic impactor missions, such as the DART mission, to test the feasibility of altering asteroid trajectories [6][7]. - China plans to launch the Tianwen-2 mission to sample a near-Earth asteroid by May 2025, furthering its capabilities in asteroid exploration and defense [6][9]. Group 3: Threats Posed by Asteroids - Near-Earth asteroids are considered one of the most significant potential threats to Earth, with historical events like the Chicxulub impact leading to mass extinctions [7]. - As of March 2025, 38,171 near-Earth objects have been discovered, but only a small fraction has been cataloged, indicating a need for improved monitoring and tracking systems [7][8]. Group 4: Resource Development Potential - Asteroids hold significant economic value, with estimates suggesting that over 700 of the 1,000 well-studied asteroids could each be worth over $100 trillion, and the total value of main belt asteroid resources could exceed $70 trillion in the next 30 years [11]. - The development of asteroid resources involves a series of activities including exploration, extraction, processing, and transportation, potentially leading to a "space supply chain" [10][11]. Group 5: International Collaboration and Future Plans - China has proposed a comprehensive strategy for asteroid detection and defense, emphasizing the need for a collaborative international approach to build a robust asteroid monitoring and defense system [8][9]. - The planned demonstration of kinetic impactor missions aims to validate the technology's effectiveness in altering asteroid trajectories and ensuring Earth's safety [9].