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China’s space programme and Asia

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Yearbook on Space Policy 2008/2009

Part of the book series: Yearbook on Space Policy ((YEARSPACE))

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Abstract

China’s space programme in 2008/2009 exhibited several new features, while continuing to follow the guidelines enunciated at the turn of the century. While the recent emphasis on satellite, manned spacecraft and lunar mission launches continued to be reflected in the Chinese space programme, further modernisation of space technologies, research on new launchers, and “batch” production of these space systems was also pushed forward, testifying maturity in the domestic space industrial potential and capabilities. Among the significant achievements of China in this field in this year are stepped up satellite launches, the extravehicular activity of Shenzhou 7 manned spacecraft in September 2008, the March 2009 realisation of the lunar mission launched in October 2007 and bidding for the international commercial launches. 753 Nevertheless, despite these successes, the failure to put into specified orbit a French-built Indonesian satellite on 31 August 2009 dents into these images of robust space programme of China.

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Notes

  1. For recent studies on the subject see: Yuan, Jing-dong. “China’s Ascendancy to a Space Power.” China Brief 8.8 (2008); “The nature and extent of China’s Space and Cyber Activities and their implications for U.S. Security.” November 2008. U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission 2008 Report to Congress. Section 3. 15 Dec. 2009. http://www.uscc.gov: 156–181; Pollpeter, Kevin. Building for the Future: China’s Progress in Space Technology during the Tenth 5-year Plan and the U.S. Response. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute, 2008.

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  4. According to Han Liyan of School of Economics and Management of Beihang University, 80% of the 1000 types of new materials China developed came from space technology. Again, nearly 2000 space technology items were transferred to the civilian economy. See “Space Mission a Boost for Civil Industries.” 26 Sept. 2008. Xinhua. Another report suggested making available space food, chocolates, ear plugs etc for the civilian market. See “China Turns Space Technology Into Civilian Products.” 26 Sept. 2008. Xinhua. See also “Successful Manned Space Mission Triggers Booming Aerospace Economy.” 21 Oct. 2005. Xinhua. FBIS.

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Authors
  1. Srikanth Kondapalli
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Kai-Uwe Schrogl Wolfgang Rathgeber Blandina Baranes Christophe Venet

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Kondapalli, S. (2010). China’s space programme and Asia. In: Schrogl, KU., Rathgeber, W., Baranes, B., Venet, C. (eds) Yearbook on Space Policy 2008/2009. Yearbook on Space Policy. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0318-0_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0318-0_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-0317-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-0318-0

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