[GOP_1900AD]

USA: Atlas led to not only Mercury but also an ICBM. PRC: PRC's first space shot will lead to new ICBMs. Oh and also, the PRC recently announced a "satellite launching rocket" that sounded quite similar to an ICBM - four state, solid fueled, etc. Not a huge stretch to picture this "satellite launching rocket" in a cold launch rig, on a TEL, in a silo or even in one of the new monster ballistic missile subs they are working on...

[bonesmccoy]

yes, you would be correct and we would be the "landing zone" for such payloads.

Kinds sucks not having SDI and Ballistic Missile Defense now.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

China develops its first solid-fuel satellite rocket***BEIJING (AFP) - China has successfully test-fired its first four-stage solid-fuel rocket capable of putting small satellites into space on short notice, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The launch of the Pioneer I rocket on September 16 at north China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center makes China only the third country capable of developing such rockets, after the United States and Russia, a spokesman for China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) told Xinhua.

The rocket is capable of putting payloads of up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) into orbit around the earth to help with resource exploration, environmental monitoring and surveys, the spokesman said.

The announcement comes just weeks ahead of China's planned manned space mission, which is widely expected to take place next month, based on media reports.

The Xinhua report did not say whether the rocket had any connection to the launching of space flights or whether it could launch satellites for military use.***