Perhaps as early as this month (October 2003) the People's Republic of China intends to send human beings into space; only the third nation to ever do so. Here is an editorial which has some speculation about why China is doing this, and what it might mean to the rest of the planet:

China's Human Space Flight Program

To be debated:

1. What reasons do think the PRC has for doing this? Possible motivations might include national prestige, desire for technological advancement, development of a space-based military capability, and scientific research. I suspect these are all involved.

2. What effect might this have on the rest of the world? Will they cheer on the Shenzhou V, or worry about it as a possible threat? (Remember the American reaction to Sputnik.) Will other nations help the PRC with its space program, or criticize it? Will this give a boost to the space programs of other nations?

3. What is your personal opinion about this? I myself am thrilled that another nation is entering space, but I would be happier if it were a nation with a less repressive form of government.

1. What reasons do think the PRC has for doing this? Possible motivations might include national prestige, desire for technological advancement, development of a space-based military capability, and scientific research. I suspect these are all involved.

I agree, but I think the main reason, is because once you have mastered probes and satelites, then manned space flight is the next step... Also, being able to put a man into space puts China only a few steps behind Russia and America, neither of whom have really moved on much since they themselves mastered this art.


2. What effect might this have on the rest of the world? Will they cheer on the Shenzhou V, or worry about it as a possible threat? (Remember the American reaction to Sputnik.) Will other nations help the PRC with its space program, or criticize it? Will this give a boost to the space programs of other nations?

I don't think this will worry any one. Even though, in itself its an impressive feat, its really not that far into the future before manned space flight will be commercially available.

Also, the ability to put a man into space does merit much of a threat compared to China's ability to drop a nuclear warhead any where on the planet...

BTW, did you know the taikonaut will be carrying weapons? A dagger and a hand gun, as well as survival equipment, in the eventuality that the capsule should land in 'enemy' territory.


3. What is your personal opinion about this? I myself am thrilled that another nation is entering space, but I would be happier if it were a nation with a less repressive form of government.

I am absolutely over joyed that at last another nation has picked up the (now some what dusty) gauntlet. With luck, perhaps this will galvanise the other nations of the world to further endeavours in the realm of exploration.


And here is a question for you Vicky...

Which particular mission, vehicle or project would you say was the most important, or impressive so far carried out in the name of space exploration?

I think there will be mixed reactions. Some people who lived through the Cold War like paranoids will be fearful and more paranoid then some would be of another terrorist attack, but i think people will hail this as an acheivement for China.



I think this is great. China is finally going where everyone else has gone. This will get them out of the age of isolation & out into the heavens!

Just an Update...

THEY DID IT!

Chinese astronaut enters orbit

Personally I think it's great that nations are taking greater interest in space. I'm not too worried about military implications. I'm guessing its a prestige issue.

1. What reasons do think the PRC has for doing this? Possible motivations might include national prestige, desire for technological advancement, development of a space-based military capability, and scientific research. I suspect these are all involved.

National prestige yes...but I think that is more of just a welcomed side effect. Anyone who saw the propoganda from China re: SARS with the nurses and doctors knows that China is desperate to help keep the dream alive.

2. What effect might this have on the rest of the world? Will they cheer on the Shenzhou V, or worry about it as a possible threat? (Remember the American reaction to Sputnik.) Will other nations help the PRC with its space program, or criticize it? Will this give a boost to the space programs of other nations?

Do you think the EU (ESA) will be jealous? I do. Will the US mind..I don't know but I think this may in fact boost our own interest in NASA...which I personally would not mind

3. What is your personal opinion about this? I myself am thrilled that another nation is entering space, but I would be happier if it were a nation with a less repressive form of government.

Well I personally believe that space is the "new new world" I would imagine that people back in the 13-1400's regarded the exploration of the new world much like we do space. I think the US is well ahead of everyone on this game and has become lax...so I welcome competition...nothing like a little competition to get the technological advances flowing.

Actually, I'm surprised that it's taken this long for another country to send a manned spacecraft into space. I also find it interesting at the timing of this, now that our Shuttle program is grounded. The US is stuck with an archaic space technology and tight funding. And China has the benefit of having plenty of money and learning from the US and the Russian programs.

How do I personally feel about this? I think this could mark the beginning of an era in which China launches itself as a world superpower.

Oh please. China's per captia GDP is $4400 per year compared to over $37000 per year in the US, so it's not a money thing at all. They aren't "rich" by any measure.

Quite frankly, I see this more as China's attempt at an "ante" to gain admission into the very small club of superpowers. Up until now, only the US and Russia (USSR) have managed to put people into space. NOw, apparently China has, but in the meantime, the primary mode of transportation in that country for the people is still bicycles.

In any case, I wish them good luck and success with this mission and I hope they continue to spend their resources on such kinds of manned space flight. I'd prefer them to do that over spending the money to develop ICBMs and space-based weapons.

Most likely. But I suspect that the common Europeans do not care one jot about China's space mission. The news this morning has not even bothered to mention it, though they have commented the coming change of power in Azerbajan...

editted to add;

China Launch Won't Ignite New Space Race, Analysts Say; http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/china...on_031014a.html

Various nations in Europe have some rather nifty things in space. One is this real nice piece of technology to chart environmental impact by humans, but this would derail the thread to talk on.

I think this is just the start of a china based space program, i have heard they have serious plans to get to mars, i wonder how that would work out, would mars be a communist planet. My overall hope is it will make other advanced nations strive for the same thing, the downside is we may have are first real space conflict if humans hold true, a real starship troopers movie

Yes, they finally did it. That's great thing.

As for war in space, visit this thread (I put some interesting material there about Soviet space military program):

http://www.americasdebate.com/forums/index...t=0&#entry59711

I think that this is China's window-display to enable them to get in on the rather lucrative business of launching commercial satellites. A bit like a car dealership putting their shiniest, most expensive model right at the front of their showroom, even though most of their sales will come from the less glamorous stuff on the forecourt. On a wider front, it's also a display of their growing economic confidence

China is already becoming the world's manufacturing hot-spot. Every economic superpower (as opposed to military, althoguh they've often overlapped) there has been since the industrial revolution has started out by drawing the bulk of world manufacturing towards themselves.

The UK did it first. America became a manufacturing superpower about 50 years before becoming an economic or military one. China is lining itself up to be the next big thing. As Goamerica pointed out, they've got some catching up to do, but give them 50-100 years and see if they don't make it.

I think it's great! Western civilizations aren't the only ones with the urge for exploraion! Atleast someones going into space... I think it's funny that it happened now while we can't. We can't always be the center of attention!

Good for China!

I believe it's a major breakthrough for China. Their success is both technical and political. I hope it won't create tensions between them and Russia, or the US or the EU. We need peace more than ever.

Moif, it's strange that the Danish media didn't talk about this. We've had plenty of info here... however, no word about the regime change in Azerbajan.

I will address the question posed by moif on another thread.

Thanks for all the responses. I find it interesting that the American media seem to be treating this as a moderately interesting news story rather than a major breakthrough. Admittedly, the PRC is doing what was done more than four decades ago; but to have a new nation send one of its own into space seems to merit more attention than it is getting.

GO CHINA! GO COMMUNISM!

It is good that more of humanity is becoming involved with space exploration. This is just a small step. It will take more demonstrations by the Chinese to convince me they are committed to further exploration.

Lol kimov! And if they get to Mars first, well it is a red planet after all!

This has got a lot of coverage in the UK. I think its great of course, and as a European Im not at all jealouse. I couldnt really care less about the ESA being 'better' than anyone else. I just hope that sometime in the future all serious exploits in space will be run by an international organisation, with an international crew. I'd much rather see the UN flag on Mars than the Russian/American/Chinese etc. That is a very depressing thought for me.

Seeing the Chinese getting into space is encouraging because they have been missing so much and with more space scientists working with their American/EU/Russian/whoever else counterparts, we can all plan the ultimate space project, whatver that may be

1. What reasons do think the PRC has for doing this?
Simply to see if they could do it. In yet another communist country not especially known for it's benevolence inside or outside it's borders, this endeavor gives China GOOD press rather than bad.

2. What effect might this have on the rest of the world?
I think the rest of the world, those countries who are on the thin side of developing technologically could see this as "gee, why can't WE do something cool like that?"

3. What is your personal opinion about this?
Competition is good and America is all about the competition. Advancement in space technology is exciting and if used to bridge futures and aid cooperation between nations it's a positive. I think the Russian/American space program and our shared interests has produced many benefits, both tech wise and in goodwill. It keeps everyone on their toes. It'll motivate the US to the next level and perhaps other countries to advance and keep up.

The interest in Space technology is yet another sign that China is moving away from the last century.

Communism is in its last days in China. It has been moving further and further away from a command ecnomy and as a result has made excellent growth of over 10 percent for some time. When it fully subsides in the ecnomic sense, without intervention the tail of politics will eventually follow. It will intially be merely described as somewhat of a totalitarian state - a feirce one party system. This I would hope will eventually subside and China can return to some of its great historical traditions and follow the lead od Japan and perhaps more pertinently South Korea, and begin to develop a wonderful way of life - free from the hand of opression.

Okay, here are some cynical realpolitik suggestions

1) Until the 1st Gulf War, noone knew precisely how powerful the USA was, then the world watched as Kuwait was liberated with comparative ease. I think this suprised China as it began to realise how far behind the West it was in military technology. Since then they've been trying to catch up....sending a man into space is an impressive technical accomplishment and shows foreign governments that China is not to be taken lightly.

2) Countries will be more wary of China and less likely to antagonise it. Expect to see Taiwan increasingly ignored as the West courts China.

3) I don't care about space, because its mostly empty. There's nothing interesting except (maybe) Mars and China is a long way from going there. Mars itself proabably doesn't hold that much interest to people, being cold and dry.

I wouldnt say space is empty

I'm sure, despite the apparent wreckless actions of human beings, that our governments are perfectly aware of the resource shortage here on Earth. I think i read that the top 16% wealthiest countries (Japan, North America, Europe...) use 80% of our natural resources. And at our rate of consumtion, we will likely run out of a lot of things this century - most notably oil. That is another debate of course, but there are very good reasons for going to space. We need to get to Mars to rip it apart in search for something else to burn

I don't think we need to feel to threatened by this- ummm, China? Ummm, the space race was over about 30 years ago or so, Russia one the first round, the US the second, and then we all played ball together, so, um, what's the point?

Though, thier aspirations for Mars probably has alot more to do with a Botany Bay scenario vs a new communist motherland! Probably want to help with the overcrowding a bit....

Well, given that oil forms from the debris of living things, I would imagine Mars doesn't have much, having always been lacking in the flora / fauna department.



Okay, I think we're pretty far from being able to send our excess population to Mars. China could send 100 million people to Mars and still be overcrowded. How many space trips would that take?

The point of the space race wasn't actually about 'who gets into space first'..the point of the space race was 'look at the technology we can develop' and 'look what we can achieve when we put our minds to it'. Space technology = missile technology, space technology = spy satellite technology, the advantage the US has over other countries ISN'T the large well equipped army, its the high tech weaponry and surveillance, all of which developed out of spce technology. Besides, Russia is only playing ball with the US because they have no choice....the country is too big and has too many resources to settle for being anything less than a major player.

Anyway, thats my scary post cold war scenario....

Hehehe, hey Igor, Communism is dead. Capitalism will eventually die as well, greed and immorality will consume that system like parasites. Social market economy will be our future.

But its true about China starting to become a superpower, they have the potential. We have to hope that Democracy and Freedom will lead to the fall of that oppressive regime. If not we might be stuck with a Second Cold War in two decades.

To try and show they are in a class with America. Their economy is growing and I think they hope to get on the international stage in a more positive light.


Many will cheer it along. I doubt any will find it a real threat nor make them increase their space programs.


Personally I think communism in china is done. Capitalism will win out there. They are going to go thru some huge changes.
As for why they are doing this, personally I think that they are going to start working hard on global perceptions about China. This will also lead to future attempts to get them thought of at the same level or even higher if possible as America. I read something about this once in WIRED and they had a idea about something thet could happen when they get there.
Picture this. Chinese astronaut bouncing along the lunar landscape. comes upon where we once landed so many years ago. Out of a small box he pulls out the chinese flag. Places in the lunar soil. Then he walks over to the US flag and pulls it down and tosses it aside.
Talk about a slap in the face. Some may say "SO What?" but I guarantee you many would be offended as all hell(I would). If we had no space program with lunar intent I betcha we would soon after something like that. Also throw in the potential energy bonanza of Helium3 which is also all over the moon and you have a possible stranglehold on a very valuable energy source.