Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Abacus · 05-21-2002, 08:12 AM

I saw this today at cnn.com:

<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/space/05/21/china.astronauts.reut/index.html" target="_blank">cnn</a>

China has an ambitious plan to send men into space by 2005, and launch a moon mission by 2010. Could this start another space race, like in the 60's? And if so, could Mars end up being the final destination of the winner?

[ May 21, 2002: Message edited by: Random Number Generator ]

[ May 21, 2002: Message edited by: Random Number Generator ]</p>

Hastur · 05-21-2002, 11:04 AM

I hope so.
We need to get off this rock ASAP.

Alonzo Fyfe · 05-21-2002, 12:20 PM

As much as I would like to see space development proceed (as long as all of our human eggs are on one planetary basket we, as a species are vulnerable), I do not think that China will inspire another space race. They simply do not have the resources to be a serious competitor.

On the other hand, I see Russia as being a serious competitor in another type of space race -- the race for commercial dollars. I suspect that the American "socialist" space program may find itself outpaced by a Russian "capitalist" space program -- as we already see happening with space tourism and space advertising.

With such a program, Russia may find itself with a great deal of (corporate) resources -- and the type of efficiency and entrepreneurship that the free market requires -- that may put its program well ahead of any competing program.

Abacus · 05-21-2002, 12:36 PM

Quote:

I suspect that the American "socialist" space program may find itself outpaced by a Russian "capitalist" space program -- as we already see happening with space tourism and space advertising.

Heh! I never really thought about it that way before. Kind of ironic, isn't it? Although, I think the Russians are having a pretty hard time right now. I bet they wish they had the resources NASA had.

As far as space tourism goes, I wish the ticket prices would drop and few orders of magnitude so that I can afford one.

I agree about the Chinese. I won't be holding my breath waiting for them to get somebody up. But maybe they can prove me to be a pessimist.

Steven S · 05-21-2002, 12:44 PM

I wonder if China's space program runs in parrallel with efforts to build ICBMs and other long range delivery rockets. Isn't the US and Russia the only countries capable of launching ICBMs? Just wondering...

Steven S

graden1 · 05-21-2002, 01:33 PM

My guess is that the Chinese will head straight for Tranquility Base, grab a few souvenirs and put 'em on E-bay.

elwoodblues · 05-21-2002, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Isn't the US and Russia the only countries capable of launching ICBMs?

China is in the game too, as will be Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. Here's a good brief on the threat through 2015.

<a href="http://www.odci.gov/nic/pubs/other_products/foreign_missle_developments.htm" target="_blank">web page</a>

Answerer · 05-21-2002, 10:59 PM

Come on guys, we should support the China space program for the sake of space technology development if not for the sake of the new emerging power.

Abacus · 05-22-2002, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Answerer:
<strong>Come on guys, we should support the China space program for the sake of space technology development if not for the sake of the new emerging power.</strong>

Agreed. I wish them well.

Skeptictank · 05-24-2002, 12:15 AM

Actually I DO hope China does well; REALLY REALLY well. I hope they shock the world by putting a man on the moon for the first time in MY lifetime. The humiliation might spur the US off its complacent butt and get on the ball.
That being said, I have my doubts. While I'm sure they will be successful in orbiting someone a couple times, I'm betting they will rethink their "moon shot" and settle into crappy LEO activities like the US and Russia (Orbiting for dollars!) I'm still waiting for some sort of low-cost, reusable orbital vehicles, but the guv-ment scrapped that one as well. fuckers....

It would be nice to see a permanent presence on the moon at somepoint. It would help if valuable resources were found there I suppose, but I can't think of any offhand. Too bad, because we could strip-mine that sucker like nobody's business without environmental damage..
<sigh> to dream.......

05-21-2002, 08:12 AM	#1
Abacus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Dakota Posts: 2,214	Another space race, perhaps? I saw this today at cnn.com: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/space/05/21/china.astronauts.reut/index.html" target="_blank">cnn</a> China has an ambitious plan to send men into space by 2005, and launch a moon mission by 2010. Could this start another space race, like in the 60's? And if so, could Mars end up being the final destination of the winner? [ May 21, 2002: Message edited by: Random Number Generator ] [ May 21, 2002: Message edited by: Random Number Generator ]</p>

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05-21-2002, 11:04 AM	#2
Hastur Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Carcosa Posts: 238	I hope so. We need to get off this rock ASAP.

05-21-2002, 12:20 PM	#3
Alonzo Fyfe Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 920B Milo Circle Lafayette, CO Posts: 3,515	As much as I would like to see space development proceed (as long as all of our human eggs are on one planetary basket we, as a species are vulnerable), I do not think that China will inspire another space race. They simply do not have the resources to be a serious competitor. On the other hand, I see Russia as being a serious competitor in another type of space race -- the race for commercial dollars. I suspect that the American "socialist" space program may find itself outpaced by a Russian "capitalist" space program -- as we already see happening with space tourism and space advertising. With such a program, Russia may find itself with a great deal of (corporate) resources -- and the type of efficiency and entrepreneurship that the free market requires -- that may put its program well ahead of any competing program.

05-21-2002, 12:44 PM	#5
Steven S Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 167	I wonder if China's space program runs in parrallel with efforts to build ICBMs and other long range delivery rockets. Isn't the US and Russia the only countries capable of launching ICBMs? Just wondering... Steven S

05-21-2002, 01:33 PM	#6
graden1 Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Columbia, Maryland, USA Posts: 120	My guess is that the Chinese will head straight for Tranquility Base, grab a few souvenirs and put 'em on E-bay.

05-21-2002, 10:59 PM	#8
Answerer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,956	Come on guys, we should support the China space program for the sake of space technology development if not for the sake of the new emerging power.

05-24-2002, 12:15 AM	#10
Skeptictank Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: CONUS Posts: 901	Actually I DO hope China does well; REALLY REALLY well. I hope they shock the world by putting a man on the moon for the first time in MY lifetime. The humiliation might spur the US off its complacent butt and get on the ball. That being said, I have my doubts. While I'm sure they will be successful in orbiting someone a couple times, I'm betting they will rethink their "moon shot" and settle into crappy LEO activities like the US and Russia (Orbiting for dollars!) I'm still waiting for some sort of low-cost, reusable orbital vehicles, but the guv-ment scrapped that one as well. fuckers.... It would be nice to see a permanent presence on the moon at somepoint. It would help if valuable resources were found there I suppose, but I can't think of any offhand. Too bad, because we could strip-mine that sucker like nobody's business without environmental damage.. <sigh> to dream.......

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