YR4 Asteroid
Title: NASA Warns of Deadly Asteroid: India in the Risk Zone, China Begins Planetary Defense Preparations
Today, we bring to you a truly serious and urgent topic. NASA has recently released a list of countries that lie within the potential risk zone of a deadly asteroid known as YR4 2024—also referred to as a “City Killer.” This asteroid, if it hits Earth, could completely destroy a major metropolitan city like London or Mumbai. The possible impact zones include highly populated countries like India, China, Yemen, and several African and South American nations.
What is YR4 2024?
The asteroid YR4 2024 has been identified as a potential threat to Earth. It has earned the nickname “City Killer” because of its destructive capability. NASA’s recent calculations estimate that the chance of it hitting Earth is around 0.3%, but this is not to be taken lightly. In space terms, this is enough to initiate emergency preparedness.
Risk Zone: Why is India on the List?
NASA has plotted an imaginary red risk corridor across the globe, and India is one of the countries along this line. The line runs through regions that could be devastated if this asteroid were to make impact. The sheer density of India’s population makes it one of the most vulnerable nations if such a disaster were to occur.
What is even more troubling is that certain Western media reactions have displayed disturbing insensitivity, celebrating that the USA and Europe are not in the immediate risk zone. Such comments only highlight the need for global cooperation rather than division.
When Could This Happen?
The asteroid is projected to possibly hit Earth in the year 2032. While that might sound far away, we are only 7 years away from it. In cosmic terms, that is an alarmingly short window.
China has already begun preparations by planning to build a Planetary Defense Force. The Chinese government is treating this potential threat very seriously, and billions of dollars are being allocated for this mission. China aims to create a space force capable of deflecting or destroying an asteroid headed toward Earth, just like NASA’s DART Mission, which was able to redirect an asteroid’s path.
What About India?
India’s former ISRO Chief had already warned about the potential threat from space and had emphasized that India should become part of global planetary defense missions. Unlike China, India currently lacks a dedicated planetary defense initiative. But if we wait too long, we may be forced to act under pressure—with minimal preparation time.
India must begin research, training, and investments into space defense systems. If China can build its own defense force, why can’t India?
Will This Asteroid Really Hit Earth?
It is important to remember that this asteroid is currently classified as a Level 3 hazard on NASA’s scale. Level 10 is the most dangerous, and this is still far from that level. But the concern lies in its impact zone—a direct hit on a city like Mumbai, Kolkata, or Delhi could lead to catastrophic loss of life.
There’s also a possibility that it may strike the Atlantic Ocean or uninhabited areas, in which case the effects might be limited to waves or mild tsunamis. However, we cannot rely on luck when it comes to such large-scale risks.
What Is China Doing?
China has officially opened recruitment for a Planetary Defense Force, not just to protect China, but potentially the Earth. They plan to evaluate the asteroid again in 2028 when it is much closer to Earth. By then, Chinese astronauts may be able to calculate with precision whether it will impact Earth—and where.
Their defense system could involve sending objects to alter the asteroid’s path, similar to NASA’s strategy. This shows that China is not only serious but strategically ahead in preparing for this future threat.
Should India Wait?
Absolutely not. While China may act in its own interest, what if the asteroid is heading toward India? If other countries choose not to intervene, we will have no option but to defend ourselves.
India’s space agency ISRO has the capability, but without a clear roadmap and defense budget, time might not be on our side. A four-year mission like DART could still be launched if preparations begin by 2028—but why wait until the last moment?
Final Thoughts
As global citizens, we must demand that governments prioritize space threats as much as they do terrestrial ones. A city-killing asteroid is not a science fiction story—it’s a scientifically calculated possibility.
India needs to collaborate globally, build its own planetary defense strategies, and treat this as a matter of national security.
And finally, here’s a small quiz for you all:
Q: India recently launched the TRUST initiative. With which country was this launched?
Options: A) UK B) USA C) Russia D) China
Drop your answers in the comment section. I’ll heart the correct ones so everyone can learn.