(Sept 27, 2001) NASA Urged to Join Fight Against Terrorism By Leonard David Senior Space Writer
[Excerpt] A Presidential order and subsequent policies have prohibited and stalled military manned spaceflight, Handberg said. While not a prime priority, "the military may use the war footing as the mechanism for getting back into the manned spaceflight arena," he said.
If a major U.S. military push evolves to seize control over entry and use of outer space by other nations, however, NASA would be pushed into backseat status in terms of human spaceflight, Handberg said.
"For NASA, all of this becomes institutionally threatening since it implies that at some point the military may take control over human spaceflight by the United States, relegating NASA to space science and aviation development. That would lead to a budget decline that would significantly change the nature of the American space program," Handberg predicted. [End Excerpt]
(Oct. 9, 2001) Delta IV Rockets Have New Pad--[Excerpt] The dedication of the launch pad comes at a time when the military is trying to make more use of space in the future, as the secretary of the Air Force said at the ceremonies Tuesday.
"We will be increasingly making use of space to help us monitor a whole world. And the fact that you are able to produce these launch vehicles at a much lower cost will enable us to buy these services and will enable us to think more about putting things into space," Air Force Secretary Dr. James Roche said.[End Excerpt]
(Sept. 10, 2001)Russia-China Deal Makes NASA Uneasy[Excerpt]-- An emerging relationship between Russian and Chinese space agencies has a cash-strapped NASA looking on with concern.
……….While the technology aspects are what concern NASA and the American government the most, Fisher said the impetus behind the Chinese surge is an attempt to prop up the ruling communist party.
"For its propaganda purposes, the manned space program is worth its weight in gold to the communist party," he said. "The manned space program is first and foremost a nationalist tool, which the communist party will use to strengthen its nationalistic credentials."
Statements from the Chinese government signal similar sentiments.
The government issued its space program blueprint in November 2000, showing the nation regards the effort much the way the Soviets and Americans saw their own during the Cold War: as an avenue to show off technical prowess.
"Now, China ranks among the most advanced countries in the world in many important technological fields," the Chinese government said.
The nation has built the Jiuquan launch center at the edge of the Gobi Desert complete with a smaller version of Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building.
Though China talks about a lunar mission, observers don't expect one for at least 15 years. They are divided on whether such an attempt would signal a new space race with NASA.
Pietrobon said a Chinese moon flight is impossible until the Chinese develop a rocket similar to the Saturn 5 that carried Apollo astronauts.
"I don't see the U.S. twiddling its thumbs while Taikonauts are hopping around the moon's surface," he said. "This won't happen for awhile yet, (but) the Chinese are interested in the moon."
(Oct. 10, 2001)China Plans to Send Probe to Moon--[Excerpt]…….few details are available of new developments in the military-linked program. ……….China's communist government has poured huge resources into making the nation a force in space. In addition to its scientific benefits, lunar exploration has an ``immeasurable usefulness to raising national prestige and inspiring the nationalistic spirit,'' Xinhua said. [End Excerpt]
(Oct. 8, 2001)Pentagon Report Calls for the United States Control of Space-- U.S. Armed Forces are dedicated to protect and advance American interests, on a national and global basis, and if necessary, to decisively defeat threats to those interests. The QDR notes that "enduring national interests" include protection of critical U.S. infrastructure. Furthermore, part of the country's economic well being includes "security of international sea, air, and space, and information lines of communication."
