China is currently recruiting 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) is seeking individuals under the age of 35 with backgrounds in fields like astrophysics, astronomy, and aerospace science to research near-Earth asteroid monitoring and early warning systems. The applicants must also uphold the political stance of the ruling Chinese Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping, and have a master’s degree or higher.
The job postings come following the discovery of asteroid 2024 YR4, which NASA has identified as having a small chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. While the Chinese program is not a military force like the U.S. Space Force, it aims to detect planetary threats and work on international cooperation for defense strategies. Social media users in China have joked about the pressure and responsibilities that the three recruits will face.
China has been a member of the International Asteroid Warning Network since 2018 and plans to build a near-Earth asteroid defense system. The country is also preparing for an asteroid-deflection test in 2027. Experts believe that China has made significant progress in asteroid defense and will continue to develop equipment, operational models, and talent in this field to safeguard Earth’s safety. The recruitment of individuals for this planetary defense force is part of China’s broader space program, which includes missions to the moon, Mars, and the establishment of a space station.
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