China has selected a new target near-Earth asteroid for its inaugural planetary defense kinetic test mission, marking a significant step in the nation's space defense capabilities. The mission represents China's first attempt at testing kinetic impact technology for asteroid deflection, similar to NASA's successful DART mission.
The mission is scheduled to launch in December 2027, though specific technical details about the spacecraft design, propulsion systems, or impact methodology have not been disclosed. The target asteroid's identity and orbital characteristics remain unspecified in current announcements.