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China develops asteroid early warning system with telescopes and satellites
The program aims to improve detection of faint, previously undiscovered near-Earth asteroids, which Li Mingtao said are considered the greatest risk.
China is developing an early warning system to detect potentially dangerous asteroids before they approach Earth, according to SCMP Economy, citing a scientist leading the effort.
The plan includes deploying multiple ground telescopes along with a constellation of satellites in orbit, with Li Mingtao, chief scientist at an asteroid monitoring and early-warning research centre under China’s national space administration, providing details via state-run Science and Technology Daily.
Li said in a report dated June 30, on the United Nations International Asteroid Day, that none of the asteroids discovered so far were thought to be on a clear collision course with Earth.
He added that more than 95 percent of near-Earth asteroids larger than 1 km have already been identified, while only about 45 percent of asteroids around 140 meters were believed discovered, with the undiscovered, faint objects described as posing the greatest risk.