Gong Zizheng, who led China’s planetary defence project, dies at 61

Gong Zizheng, a pioneer of space debris research and a key figure in China’s planned asteroid defence mission, has died at 61.

A top government adviser and prominent leader in international space debris organisations, Gong died on Saturday after a battle with illness, according to Chinese media reports. No further details were given.

On social media, one of Gong’s colleagues at the China Academy of Space Technology remembered him as a prolific scientist deeply devoted to his work, a warm and gentle person, and a generous mentor who readily shared his knowledge and guided younger scholars.

A fellow space debris researcher who worked with Gong in his final years said he was devastated to hear the news. “I had known since last October that he was seriously ill and understood how grave his condition was, but never imagined we would lose him so soon,” he said.