China is looking to recruit candidates for a planetary defense force to address the threat of asteroids colliding with Earth. The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) has posted job descriptions for three positions related to near-Earth asteroid monitoring and early-warning systems. Applicants must be under 35, have a master’s degree or higher in fields like astrophysics or aerospace science, and align with the Chinese Communist Party’s political stance.
This initiative comes after the discovery of the asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a small chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. The establishment of the planetary defense force is seen as a collaborative effort with other countries to prevent such a collision. The Chinese space program, which includes a space station and missions to the moon and Mars, is part of this larger effort.
China has been a member of the International Asteroid Warning Network since 2018 and plans to build a near-Earth asteroid defense system, conduct asteroid deflection tests, and develop specialized talent in this area. The country has made significant progress in asteroid defense, with engineering projects and telescope construction in the works.
Overall, the recruitment of a planetary defense force by China is seen as a significant step in safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid threats. The initiative is part of a broader effort to collaborate internationally and develop expertise in asteroid defense.
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