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New space race?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3170524.stm
Is the development of the Chinese space programme likely to lead to rivallry with the US considering the history of hostility between the nations?
Is the development of the Chinese space programme likely to lead to rivallry with the US considering the history of hostility between the nations?
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The friendly rivalry between NASA and ESA to find traces of life on Mars for instance is helping accelerate advances in rocket technology. Every mission launched is another step forward.
The only US concern might come from military applications. China already has ICBMs but I'm sure they will welcoming any discoveries and advances and apply them to their next generation of ballistic missiles.
By going ahead with this worthless scheme Dubya has destroyed all the non-proliferation treaties that have worked so well for decades.
I don't know what's in for the Russians but they've already said they're re-starting their missile development programmes in order to beat the Defensive Shield- if the Yanks can ever make it work which most people doubt.
I guess the difference is that the weapons are- theoretically at least- designed to attack ballistic missiles, not the countries below. But laser technology improves constantly, and it would be relatively easy use some of the lasers the system will required on targets on the ground.
Perhaps if we can get China involved with the international space station, it might even help heal the rift between the US and China, rather than forcing them further apart.
It'll only come back to haunt us sooner or later!
If it were 1962 maybe.
If this is a space race aren't the Chinese off the starting block a bit late?
Another question would be, could the Chinese have pulled this off without the help of US companies Hughes and Loral transferring sensitive ballistic missile technology to the Chinese during the Clinton Administration?
Loral provides sensitive technology
So long as it is not for military use, 'space races' are to be welcomed.
I reckon we will have a winner of the X Prize (the contest where private individuals aim to send people into orbit by their own means) within 5 years as well.
I can see Europe joining forces with Asia, rather than the US. The US, I believe has become far too isolated, rearing its head only to kill a few people then leaving again.