China Quiet on Eve of Space Flight

LA Times ^ | October 6, 2003 | AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

BEIJING -- The launch could happen as early as this weekend from a remote base in the Gobi Desert. China's first manned space flight would carry one "taikonaut" - or as many three. It could last from hours to several days.

Other than that, the Chinese government isn't really saying.

After 11 years of planning to join the space-faring elite, China is on the brink of making history and reaping a propaganda windfall. But as the hour approaches, the communist government is staying silent about a date and other details, wary of risking the damage of public setbacks.

……Success has encouraged Chinese researchers who want support for sending probes to the moon and Mars.

On Sunday, the secretary-general of the government's Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense was quoted by a state news agency as issuing a rare public affirmation of official interest in such ambitions.

"In the future," the China News Service quoted Wang Shuquan as saying, "China will conduct tests on lunar-landing flight."

[bonesmccoy]

that would suggest that life sciences is the difference.

Life Support is the main issue in long-duration, deep space exploration.

We got lucky with our Apollo program.

The Chinese will design heavier, more robust systems.

This thread is getting very interesting!

[bonesmccoy]

That was basically the argument in the 1960's internally within NASA.

There were groups that thought it useful to build small / medium sized boosters to throw payload to LEO, rendezvous, then send the contraption to the moon.

That strategy doesn't work as well as building a massive booster rocket like the Saturn V.

Does China have launch facilities capable of launching a vehicle the size of the Saturn V?

Where are their launch facilities?

Anyone with satellite photos?

[RightWhale]

that would suggest that life sciences is the difference.

Excellent point!

[sandydipper]

Thanks to Bill Clintoon.

[RightWhale]

Thanks to Bill Clintoon.

At some point in time we ought to just forget Bill Clinton and his evil deeds. None of that makes any difference at this late date. Underrate Chinese space tech at your own peril.