China's Space Program Thread II
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Coercive Space Activities: The View From PRC Sources
Published Feb. 19, 2024
China Aerospace Studies Institute
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is developing space technologies, in part, to deter and compel the United States from taking actions that Beijing deems counter to its national security interests. PRC coercive space efforts are intended to achieve effects in, from, and to space. People’s Liberation Army (PLA) researchers have assessed space capabilities as playing an outsized role in strategic coercive efforts. In comparison to nuclear capabilities, PLA researchers perceive space capabilities as a more usable and effective method of influencing an adversary.
PRC writings on space deterrence and compellence highlight several factors that may complicate the ability of the United States to deter the PRC from taking military action. The perception that space underpins U.S. military superiority may make U.S. space assets an irresistible target for PLA planners. The perception on the part of some PLA researchers that space is an offense-dominant domain, and that coercive efforts and conflicts may begin in space, also suggests the PLA may place a high priority on threatening U.S. space assets.
Considering the role of deterrence and compellence in PLA space operations may also provide insight into the motivations for PLA demonstrations of space power, such as the 2007 test that destroyed a satellite and the 2022 towing of a satellite to a graveyard orbit by the Shijian-21 satellite. As part of the PRC’s active defense strategy, PRC researchers state that coercive activities can occur in both peacetime and wartime and can involve demonstrations of space power, tests of space capabilities, and the use of force. As a result, PRC development, testing, and use of space and counterspace capabilities may be intended to demonstrate the capability and resolve to attack U.S. satellites, raise doubts about the U.S. nuclear deterrent, and threaten the U.S. homeland with attack. These implications and others are discussed in more detail in the paper.
papers:
In-situ mapping of iron and titanium with the visible and near-infrared image spectrometer (VNIS) along the Yutu-2 rover traverse on the farside of the moon
Elemental and Sr isotopic compositions of plagioclase as an indicator of lunar source-rock type: Insights from Chang'e 5 plagioclase fragments
Design of anti-unwinding attitude coupling controller for flexible spacecraft using positive position feedback control
by78
General
The Long March 8 rocket that will be used to launch the Magpie-2 (Queqiao-2) relay satellite has been loaded onto the Yuanwang 22 transport ship and is on its way to Wenchang launch center.
The Long March 8 rocket that will be used to launch the Magpie-2 (Queqiao-2) relay satellite has arrived in Hainan.
by78
General
An update on LandSpace TQ-15A engine development.
Tianbing has recently completed calibration tests on the first production batch of the reusable LOX/Kerosene TH-12 engines, which will power the Tianlong-3 launch vehicle that is scheduled to conduct its maiden flight in the 1st half of this year.
According to the deputy general manager of Tianbing's production base, the Tianlong-3 launch vehicle will begin final assembly at the end of February to early March, and the final assembly and associated testing are scheduled to be completed around April or May. The rocket's maiden flight will take place in June or July.
by78
General
A concise graphic (presented at the 74th IAC) that summarizes upcoming lunar and deep space exploration missions:
- Magpie-2 relay satellite to be launched in early 2024
- Chang'e-6 to be launched in 2024
- Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission to be launched in 2025
- Chang'e-7 to be launched in 2026
- Chang'e-8 to be launched in 2028
- Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission to be launched in 2028
- Tianwen-4 Jupiter probe to be launched in 2030
- China's manned lunar landing to be launched in 2030
Timeline for the Tianwen-3 mars sample return mission has been shifted to the right. It's now expected to be launched around 2030.
Apparently headed to the Geostationary realm:
and a couple papers:
first one has amusing timing.
A novel variable-stiffness structure for microvibration suppression of high-resolution optical microsatellites
Orbit design and attitude control of diffractive sail and validation with solar polar mission
and a couple papers:
first one has amusing timing.
A novel variable-stiffness structure for microvibration suppression of high-resolution optical microsatellites
Orbit design and attitude control of diffractive sail and validation with solar polar mission