China's Space Program News Thread

[tphuang]

Re: china manned space - news and views

The first salvo from India...


'We Can Easily Catch Up With China'
Chairman of ISRO and the Space Commission on the moon mission and more

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"How do you compare India with China?

Compared to China we are better off in many areas. For example our communication satellites are world class. Chinese still depend on some foreign companies to supply some components. On launchers, we have very advanced capability. As far as manned-mission is concerned we are lagging behind, but that was a conscious decision on our part. Since it involves a lot of funds, in the initial phase of the moon programme we have not given thrust to that area. But given the funds and necessary approvals we can easily catch up with our neighbour in this area. "

I find it funny that ISRO is so eager to say that it's more advanced than China. I think a lot of it has to be a ploy to get more funding by pumping up public support. Still, this is a very huge achievement by India and their space program seems to at least be doing a lot better than their aerospace industry.

 

[flyzies]

Re: china manned space - news and views

Indeed, congrats to India for success of the launch. A step in the right direction of space exploration...
As for catching up to China, its all a ploy to get more funding...thinking those comments as being realistic is laughable.

 

[AssassinsMace]

Re: china manned space - news and views

I believe I read something quoting some guy in the ISRO that said China's ASAT test was nothing special because all it takes is knowing the orbit the target and firing an interceptor traveling the opposite direction and eventually they would hit. What geniuses over there. :rofl:

 

[Quickie]

Re: china manned space - news and views

It's not wrong for any country to want to catch up with another country but it's simply not true to imply that India is at the moment more advanced than China in satellite technology and launch vehicles capabilities.

Also, don't forget that China can't import high technology components with military implication because of the ongoing western embargo - something India is not limited by.

 

[bladerunner]

Re: china manned space - news and views

Is it possible to adapt one of those shuttles to travel to the moon with a moon lander in the cargo bay?

 

[Quickie]

Re: china manned space - news and views

I guess it's possible but not without the increased associated risk and the multifold increase in cost.

Cool idea though...

 

[redredwine]

Re: china manned space - news and views

If we think about the whole thing a little more carefully, them we should put the India moon mission in a geopolitical context. The west is having the 20 year long tech/weapon embargo on China for a reason, which is the fear that China will one day catch up and even become more advanced than the west. Plus they hope China does not pose a imminent threat to them. China had a lending hand from Russia on the aero/space tech development, but mainly depends on themselves, reaching such a high level of competency in this aero/space tech war.

India, instead is located in the hotbed of geopolitical wrangling between Russia/US/China and now Europe. The Indian ocean is the lifeline for the US and much of Asia's energy demands. Therefore they enjoy the support or somtimes even not calculated tech transfer from all those player mentioned above. How come they do not have the fear that one day India may catch up with them on aero/space tech development? Just copy one of the experts on this: like giving a car to an aldult and an infant, aldult can drive the car right away, but for the infant it is useless. India is the infant.

And one more factor on this India vs China race. This whole sotry is cooked up by the West i.e. USA. The consipirators in the US have long ago indicated that they have to contain China in a big way. India is one of the most important strategy on their plate because it has the "potential" to deter China from becoming the leading power of the east and other developing nations. But looking back at the history, just like US supporting one power after another power, they will fall tragically end of the day. Let's wait for the day to come. India's ecomony has seen some shrinkage in this global meltdown. Now the already bankrupt USA can not even save itself, let alone its so called democratic allies.

I find Indians, in general, are smart people, but I do not really understand why so many Indians are so not getting the pictures when they talk? They love to talk big. That is fine, but making unreal claims is just making them such a laughing stock.

 

[crobato]

Re: china manned space - news and views

Is it possible to adapt one of those shuttles to travel to the moon with a moon lander in the cargo bay?

The problem is the sheer weight of the shuttle. You're going to need a much more powerful booster to be able to send a spacecraft of a larger mass to the moon. Of course its all physics. But then you're beginning to understand why the Shuttle, in the long run, impeded Mankind's reach for manned deep space travel, rather than improve it. That's why NASA is going back to a post Apollo concept with its next spacecraft, Orion.

The Soyuz was actually originally designed to be able to reach Moon orbit though other circumstances made it change its mission. It can still certainly can if the Russians would choose to repursue this goal. In theory it is also possible that the Shenzhou as it is, can be made to do a lunar orbit then head back.

 

[bladerunner]

Re: china manned space - news and views

Well I believe the European space freighter capsule can be outfitted with life support so with the the Latest Ariane rockets, would they be able to put this capsule into lunar orbit with the necessary equipment for a moon landing??

 

[FriedRiceNSpice]

Re: china manned space - news and views

Also, don't forget that China can't import high technology components with military implication because of the ongoing western embargo - something India is not limited by.

That is really not a big factor these days anymore... China has capabilities to be self sufficient in that field much like the USSR and US have been throughout most of the Cold War. Countries reliant on US technology today are actually handicapped, since it stifles domestic development and creates dependency on the US. Just take a look at the JSF program.