China's asteroid defense project leader Gong Zizheng dies at 61

Gong Zizheng, a pivotal figure in China's efforts to defend against asteroid threats and a leading researcher in space debris, has died at the age of 61. His passing, attributed to illness, was reported by Chinese media on Saturday.

Gong held significant positions, serving as a top government adviser and playing a prominent role in international organizations focused on space debris. His work laid crucial groundwork for China's planned asteroid defense mission, a critical area of space exploration and planetary security.

Colleagues and peers remembered Gong with deep respect. One associate at the China Academy of Space Technology described him as a scientist profoundly dedicated to his work, a person of warmth and gentleness, and a mentor who generously shared his expertise with younger scholars. Another researcher, who worked with Gong in his later years, expressed devastation, having known about his serious illness but still being shocked by the early loss.

Despite his high standing in the field, Gong was characterized as practical, down-to-earth, and unassuming. One anecdote shared by a fellow researcher highlighted Gong's humble nature, recalling his arrival at a meeting on a small folding bicycle and mentioning how his frequent cycling had led to the wear-out of several bicycles.