Gong Zizheng, a leading figure in space debris research and a key contributor to China’s emerging asteroid defense program, passed away last Saturday at the age of 61, according to Chinese media reports. Details surrounding his illness were not disclosed.

Gong was widely respected within the scientific community as a dedicated researcher and mentor. A colleague at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), where he worked for two decades, described him as a prolific scientist with a warm personality and a generous approach to guiding younger scholars. Another researcher who collaborated with Gong during his later years characterized him as practical and down-to-earth, noting Gong’s humility despite his prominent status in the field.

Born in December 1964, Gong completed his undergraduate studies in physics at the National University of Defence Technology in Changsha in 1986. He later earned a doctoral degree in explosion mechanics from the Beijing Institute of Technology in 1996. Following postdoctoral research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, he expanded his expertise through visiting scholar positions at the California Institute of Technology and the Carnegie Institution for Science in the United States.

In 2006, Gong joined CAST, where he led efforts focused on mitigating the risks posed by orbital debris. Among his notable projects was the development of laser technologies intended to clear space junk. His team explored the feasibility of using orbital lasers to repeatedly target debris, pushing it into lower orbits so it would eventually burn up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

Gong also played a pivotal role in advocating for China’s planetary defense capabilities. In 2020, he urged the establishment of a national near-Earth asteroid defense system. China is currently preparing for its inaugural planetary defense mission, targeted for launch before 2030, which involves sending a high-velocity spacecraft to collide with an asteroid at speeds exceeding Mach 26. The objective is to alter the asteroid’s trajectory or fragment it, reducing the potential threat to Earth.

In one of his final public engagements, Gong delivered a popular science lecture in May 2025 at a high school in Beijing. He spoke about China’s space program and encouraged students to pursue aspirations in space exploration.

Gong Zizheng’s contributions have been instrumental in advancing China’s approach to space safety and planetary defense, and his passing marks a significant loss to the international community engaged in space sustainability efforts.