China considering moon landing...

robotical · Nov 4, 2005

I had posted this in another thread, but it was recommended that I move this to its own post: China, which launched its first manned space mission just two years ago, plans to put a man on the moon around 2017 and investigate what may be the perfect source of fuel, a newspaper reported on Friday. http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/11/04/china.moon.reut/index.html Looks like the Chinese want to beat us back to the moon next decade if this is true (although we won that race decades ago <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />). This would be an great development and will hopefully make more people interested in the space program, even if they're not interested in the exploration part of it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

mattblack · Nov 5, 2005

GO CHINA!!! I want SOMEONE to reach there in the next decade. Notice how they want to reach there by 2017? THEY know how long it takes to develop the infrastructure. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America CAN Afford it!! LEO is a Prison -- It's time for a JAILBREAK!! </div>

kdavis007 · Nov 6, 2005

Space Race II ..

centsworth_II · Nov 6, 2005

More space race and less arms race, I say! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

tap_sa · Nov 6, 2005

Hopefully the trolls will race off to tell the Chinese how stupid they are trying to get to the boring rock even before Americans.

barrykirk · Nov 6, 2005

As I've stated before on this forum. The best way for us to get funding for manned space exploration is a space race. This is great news.

dreada5 · Nov 6, 2005

Totally, I actually HOPE we do have a space race on our hands just to get US, Russia & Europe to pull out the stops and do something really amazing!! GO CHINA!!! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

BReif · Nov 6, 2005

I do think that China will accomplish their goal of landing on the moon, and doing so in such a way as to have a permanent presence there. They are progressing very quickly through fundamental spaceflight lessons that the US and Russia learned in the 1960's. I beleive that they will make the Moon by 2020, and that this should be taken seriously by the US and other spacefaring nation's governments. China is not about to spend countless years in LEO, but will break out of LEO at the earliest opportunity. What would happen if they got to the Moon first, before the US, Russia, or Europe, and put a base on the Moon in a location that the US, Russia, or Europe wanted (ie. the lunar south pole). Can the rest of the world really afford to allow China to be first, or worse, the only nation to have a presence on the Moon?

BReif · Nov 6, 2005

Tap_Sa said: "Hopefully the trolls will race off to tell the Chinese how stupid they are trying to get to the boring rock even before Americans. " The Chinese already know that the Moon is not a boring rock, but a treasure trove of resourses. They are looking for "the perfect source of fuel" or Helium 3. I am not convinced that He3 or fusion will work, but there is potential. If nothing else, it may be an important consideration to look at the strategic implications of a China controlling the Moon, and as a result, the space in the Earth-Moon system.

spacefire · Nov 6, 2005

when you say a race between US and China to the moon, you mean a race between US and ancient Soviet technology recycled by the Chinese who can now afford to buy the Russian designs... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.comhttp://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </div>

toymaker · Nov 6, 2005

It doesn't matter how advanced technology is.What matters how efficient it is and if it does the job it needs to. Advanced technology isn't always the best option.

BReif · Nov 6, 2005

Or, is it US space and missle technology sold to the Chinese by a certain US president who occupied the White House in the 1990's? Shenzou is not a clone of the soyuz, it is somewhat different, and the launch vehicle, it looks very different.

BReif · Nov 6, 2005

Toymaker, I agree with you. If the Chinese can get to the moon with obsolete technology (which shenzou may or may not be(we need a closer look at it, more than China is giving to us)), they get to the moon while the US or Russia is still just talking about it.

SpaceKiwi · Nov 6, 2005

Exactly. It's just more of the same 'NIH syndrome' which holds the American people back. I'd bet good money that the Chinese would even have been willing to stick 'C.C.C.P' decals on their Shenzhou's if it meant getting in the game. There are those that get on with it, and there are those that argue irrelevant and trivial points about who was first. It's not going to matter one little bit who invented what or whether the Shenzhou is a 'cheap Chinese knock-off' when they are sitting pretty in prime real estate 'New Beijing', and the USA are bringing up the rear. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

BReif · Nov 6, 2005

Yes. The Chinese see an opening, and they are moving forward to seize it. It doesn't matter whether their technology is cutting edge. What does matter is that their technology is flying, and they are moving toward a goal.

superluminal · Nov 6, 2005

I think China will build and use nuclear powered rockets. I mean, Who is to tell them that they can't? The only reason America doesn't build them is, it has to listen to opinions of politicians that such a project like Orion is dangerous. I don't think China will succumb to international political opinion. They certainly do have the nuclear potential and expertise to build an Orion type nuclear rocket. What do you guys and girls think about China using nuclear power in rocketry? Do you think they will? Or not... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Columbia and Challenger Starships of Heroes </div>

BReif · Nov 6, 2005

Sure, why wouldn't they if it was to their advantage. It doesn't sem that China is affected at all by geo-politics or political correctness.

superluminal · Nov 6, 2005

I can understand all the hype about launching nuclear rockets from Earth. There's always the possibility that something could go wrong such as the Columbia or Challenger disaster. With nuclear powered rockets that could be a bad deal indeed in Earths atmosphere. I just don't see any danger of assembling nuclear spacecraft in Earth or Lunar orbit. I think China will start to build these nuclear spacecraft in orbit. There already sending up three Taikonauts soon here Whom ever does build nuclear ships in orbit first, Then mars will surely be the first prize of the Orion type builders. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Columbia and Challenger Starships of Heroes </div>

scottb50 · Nov 6, 2005

I just don't see any danger of assembling nuclear spacecraft in Earth or Lunar orbit.... I don't either and I'm sure enough rockets can be found to get it to orbit. The real problem would be getting the fuel for the reactor to orbit, then it would be bad indeed for the atmosphere. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

superluminal · Nov 7, 2005

I think NASA's shuttles could be used way more efficient that they are now planning. To begin with, The shuttles are one remarkable piece of technological achievements. The thing is, that most of the danger occurs during launch and re-entry. If only some one could figure out a safe way to replenish the shuttles fuel supply and vital necessities while in orbit. Then, other space station components could be launched by conventional rockets along with that extra fuel supply and the shuttle could accomplish more that one mission per launch and landing. I'm sure that's easier said than done. Then maybe we'd be able to build nuclear spacecraft in orbit using the shuttles robotic arm and a crew to help build them. What I'm suggesting is leaving the shuttle up for three or maybe four missions at a time. Maybe more <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Columbia and Challenger Starships of Heroes </div>

dreada5 · Nov 7, 2005

I think its good news that China have made this announcement. Go China! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Anything that spurs the more experienced nations to pull their finger out and get a move on is good news! One thing is needed now: evidence (hardware testing) that the chinese are actively working towards a 2017 landing... that'd make NASA and the US Govt take them more seriously.

henryhallam · Nov 7, 2005

One thing is needed now: evidence (hardware testing) that the chinese are actively working towards a 2017 landing... that'd make NASA and the US Govt take them more seriously. Quite. They have a long way to go in terms of launch vehicle technology and they would need to greatly increase their manned spaceflight budget (since this technology isn't really transferrable to weapons systems, unlike the Long March)

lampblack · Nov 7, 2005

Competition is good for the soul. Go, China! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Just tell the truth and let the chips fall... </div>

kdavis007 · Nov 7, 2005

Lol!!!

SpaceKiwi · Nov 7, 2005

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />What do you guys and girls think about China using nuclear power in rocketry? Do you think they will? Or not...<hr /></blockquote> I'm not sure they will go that route anytime soon. It would require some work, and it would seem easier to utilise the existing technology path they're on with Shenzhou if it's doing everything they need it to do for now. The Chinese are shrewd though. I think they would be more inclined to threaten the use of nuclear rocketry and use it to their advantage to get concessions from the West on things of importance to them back here on Earth. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

China considering moon landing...

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