China Targets Asteroid 2016 WP8 With December 2027 Impact Mission
Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · Jul 7
China Targets Asteroid 2016 WP8 With December 2027 Impact Mission
3 articles · Updated · Boy Genius Report · Jul 7
Summary
December 2027 is China’s latest launch target for its first asteroid-defense test, a kinetic-impact mission aimed at near-Earth asteroid 2016 WP8.
Two spacecraft are planned: an impactor to strike 2016 WP8 in 2029 and an observer to measure the collision and any orbital change.
The plan has shifted since at least 2022, moving from an earlier 2025-2027 window and a different target asteroid to the current single-launch concept.
China is also studying alternatives including gravity tractors, laser ablation and continuous-thrust methods as it builds a broader planetary-defense system.
The mission follows NASA’s 2022 DART success and adds to wider efforts to prepare for future close approaches by near-Earth asteroids.