THE 3RD INTERNATIONAL DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION CONFERENCE (TIANDU FORUM)

The 3rd Tiandu Forum convened in Hefei, China, addressing the engineering planning of China's deep space exploration and promoting in-depth cooperation on international Large-Scaled Science Project.

A key focus of the meeting was planetary defense. The Asteroid Defense sub-forum highlighted China’s growing engagement in this field, including its planned asteroid deflection test in 2027, an initiative underscoring the importance of global cooperation in protecting Earth from potential threats.

IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger delivered a presentation on “Planetary Defense: Turning Science into Global Security,” outlining global efforts to safeguard Earth from Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). He emphasized emerging trends such as lunar and Mars exploration, the integration of AI and big data, youth engagement, and orbital debris management. The presentation showcased the IAF’s commitment to fostering dialogue, capacity-building, and collaboration on planetary defense through its NEO Technical Committee to advance international response capabilities.