posted 06-26-2009 09:05 AM               

The world's most populous nation views space as an asset, not only from a technological and commercial perspective, but also from a political and militaristic one. The repercussions of this ideology already extend far beyond Washington. China vs. United States offers a glimpse of future Chinese aspirations in space and the politico-militaristic implications of a looming space race, and explains why an interplanetary spaceship called the Tsien Hsue Shen might one day travel to the outer planets.

Until China successfully launched taikonauts into orbit, China's space program had attracted little international attention. The book opens with an analysis of the short fifteen-year history of the China National Space Administration and its long list of accomplishments. Chapter 2 assesses Sino-U.S. technological and commercial interests in space and their implications in fuelling a potential space race. The national security objectives of the U.S. and China are examined, showing how their intentions are increasingly leading to the military integration of space technologies. Chapter 3 describes China's anxieties about U.S. space power, its obsession with national prestige, and how manned spaceflight is viewed as a crucial element to sustain the legitimacy of the Communist Party. China is currently focusing on similar goals to those of NASA's Constellation Program - lunar and Mars exploration. The following chapter examines the ambitious plans of both nations, and evaluates whether China's bold goal of landing taikonauts on the Moon by 2020 is matched by the necessary capability.

In Chapter 5 Dr Seedhouse describes the space hardware being developed by the U.S. and China and the strides taken by China in its attempt to match the technological capability of the U.S. The following chapter provides an overview of China's introductory manned spaceflights and shows how, despite a lack of experience, the Chinese may soon be in a position to challenge the U.S. in a race to the Moon. In Chapter 7, the author discusses how China's manned space program can boost the country's international prestige and also examines the notion of manned spaceflight as a risky way to boost national status and the potential implications of a disaster akin to Challenger and Columbia.

Chapter 8 addresses the questions of alliances and cooperation between NASA and ESA and China and Russia, or, alternatively, the U.S. and China pursuing their space ambitions alone. The implications of each way forward in the context of a looming competition in space are considered. Chapter 9 discusses the repercussions of a Chinese space program overtaking NASA and whether the U.S. has the political will to advance its own space program to prevent its position as sole space superpower being usurped. Given the mutual suspicions existing in both countries, it is perhaps inevitable that Washington and Beijing are on a collision course in space. The final chapter describes the implications of such a confrontation and discusses what, if anything, can be done to avert a new space race.

• Springer Praxis Books
  
• 2010, Approx. 255 p. 81 illus., 29 in color., Softcover
  
• ISBN: 978-1-4419-0879-7

posted 11-24-2009 03:21 PM               

Really, though... with the exception of concern over the military ramifications of the Chinese space program, there doesn't seem to be much indication that the US views its goals in space through the lens of a race with China.

posted 02-09-2010 12:53 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by capoetc:
Once the Chinese have men walking on the moon, then the race can begin.

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There were two reasons the US taxpayer was willing to foot the bill for Apollo:

1. The race with the USSR, who had injured American pride with their early space successes. The Americans had to prove their technological superiority - to themselves as well as the watching world.

2. We all wondered at the time what it would actually feel like to watch men walking on the moon. I still remember that magical feeling of actually seeing it happen.

I personally think that the shuttle has done very little to assist in rekindling excitement for space in the mind of the public generally.

Selling manned space flight to us enthusiasts is easy - but it's Joe Public in the USA that has to be won over.

I forecast that within ten years no country will have a manned space programme - except possibly China. But even they are not going to reach the moon. I don't think they have the unique "can do" attitude that the Americans - at least used to - have.

I really fear for the future of America as the world's number one superpower, because - as demonstrated by this decision to cancel Constellation - they seem to be ready to turn their back on progress, and settle for second best.

posted 02-10-2010 01:21 PM               

Are the Chinese racing the Russians, too?

posted 02-12-2010 02:02 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Spacefest:
WE beat the Chinese and everyone else by what will be half a century, and we did it with our own hardware.

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