[NCC-1701]

"...looks like the Chinese program is using Russian derived hardware..."

You are almost correct. The Ruassians have been advising the Cheinese on various aspects of the spacecraft. Even though the Shenzhou vehicle looks like its cousin, the Soyuz, there are differences. First the orbital module, the part with what look like 2 cameras, is more cylindrical than the more sperical Soyuz o m. Also, it has a pair of solar panels attached, the Soyuz om doesn't. Second, the re-entry module is slightly larger than the Soyuz r m. Third, the service module is longer and slightly wider the the Soyuz s m. Overall, the Shenzhou is larger and heavier than the Soyuz. The Soyuz has been the workhorse for the Russians since 1967. With two fatal landings in roughly 120
flights, it's about as safe as the shuttle. China has used that knowledge and may have improved some of the systems. Time will tell for the Shenzhou. Perhaps with the help of x42, it'll be a safe spacecraft. The technology supplied by him has put the Chinese way ahead of the learning curve.

[bonesmccoy]

There is a need to evaluate the throw capability of their rockets.

The real issue is not the payload.

The issue is the ENGINE and the propellant.

Control the propellant and the engine technology and you control access to space.

The Chinese know it and want to control us through "it".