China is improving a radar system to detect threats from orbiting asteroids.

China is improving a radar system to detect threats from orbiting asteroids.

Chinese researchers are working on a new way to find and track asteroids. This will support determine if any large chunks of space rock pose a threat to Earth. In this technique , an array of more than 20 large antennas is attached to bounce off signals from asteroids and decide whether they could affect our planet. Some varsities in the China are involved in this project. Information about this were first published in Science and Technology Daily, the official newspaper of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

As per to the Chinese ministry, the project is called China Fuyan in English – Compound I and the Beijing Institute of Technology is leading the project. Asteroids chosen for signal bouncing will be 93 million miles (150 million km) from Earth.

of space.com Reports Under the project, 2 antennas have been built at one location in the southern Chinese city of Chongqing. They will be tested in the September. If the test is successful, then they will be issued. The diameter of the antenna will be a 82 to 98 feet.

Long Teng, president of the Beijing Institute of Technology, told the Global Times that the project will meet the nation's needs, containing research on near-Earth defense and satellite development. The system could even be applied to track satellites and debris in Earth orbit, the researcher told.

Even, in April, Global Times reported that the nation’s space agency was improving a new surveillance and defense system. It will be tested by deliberately crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid. Reports further state that the new mission will be issued in early 2025 to re-orbit and attack a dangerous asteroid.