China plans 2025 planetary defense test on asteroid 2019 VL5.

China plans to launch a combined asteroid deflection and observation test in 2025, targeting near-Earth object 2019 VL5 with a Long March 3B rocket carrying both an impactor and observer spacecraft. The observer spacecraft will reach the asteroid first for initial observations and evaluating its topography, while the impactor will smash into the asteroid with the aim of altering its velocity. The observer spacecraft will then evaluate the asteroid after the impact, carrying optical, radar, and laser remote sensing payloads and a dust and particle analyzer for assessing the target. The mission is part of China's wide planetary defense plan to counter the threats posed by near-Earth asteroids, including an asteroid detection and early warning system.