COLORADO
SPRINGS, Colo. - China is celebrating its 50th anniversary of space progress this year, but also
laying out a sweeping plan for lofting Earth orbiting satellites for a
multitude of duties, expanding its human spaceflight abilities, and carrying
out a multi-step program of lunar exploration.
Luo Ge,
Vice Administrator, China National Space Administration, spoke here today at
the 22nd National Space Symposium (NSS).
"Generally
speaking, in the coming five to eight years we will be launching about 100
satellites," Luo told a standing room only audience here. Space technology is
making its contribution to the economic and social development in China, he said.
Luo
outlined an expansive roster of satellite projects, building upon 5 different
operational systems already in service: telecommunications, meteorological,
Earth remote sensing, as well as recoverable satellites and technology
demonstration spacecraft.
Over the
years, Luo explained, China has developed a series of 12 launch vehicles to
satisfy different demands. Access to space is a priority, he said, with work
now underway on a new generation booster-- a non-toxic, non-pollution and highly
reliable launch vehicle, he said, able to toss 25 metric tons into low Earth
orbit and 15 metric tons into geostationary orbit.
"We have
achieved all technical breakthroughs ... by the year 2011 we'll be launching the
first launch vehicle," Luo said.
Historic
breakthrough
In the
human spaceflight arena, China has also made stunning achievements, Luo
explained. In 1999-2002, four unpiloted spaceships were launched by China, followed in October 2003 by its first
piloted mission, Shenzhou 5. "That was a historic breakthrough for China," he added.
"We have
become the third country capable of developing a spaceship by itself and
launching our own astronauts into orbit and safely recover them," Luo said. In
October 2005 a two-person
spacecraft rocketed into Earth orbit, achieving the first "attended space
lab tests," he said.
Luo said
that, based on success in the manned mission area, they intend to establish an
orbiting space lab by 2015. Leading up to this effort, he added, space walking
skills by Chinese astronauts are to be honed, as will be the ability of space
docking.
In the area
of human spaceflight, Luo noted several times that China is open to the
possibility for international cooperation.
Lunar
robotic plans
China has drafted a multi-step program
for lunar exploration.
Next year,
the country's first lunar orbiter/fly mission is to fly, Luo said. By 2012, China space planners will be landing a rover on the Moon surface. In 2017, that country's
lunar exploration plans call for robotic lunar sample return missions.
"We call
these three stages the first step of our lunar exploration," Luo explained. "The
first step will be done purely robotically ... with unmanned missions."
And in the
future, Luo stated, "China will also consider the possibility of manned mission
to the Moon."
But by far the
most extensive element of China's space plans is within the arena of Earth
orbiting satellites - from oceanographic, navigation, and telecommunications
satellite systems to constellations of Earth observing and disaster mitigation
spacecraft - Luo outlined an impressive cadre of upcoming missions.
Furthermore, in-space testing of high-tech components is also slated.
China's focus, Luo emphasized, is on
conversion of space technology to a variety of applications to further the
social and economic development of the nation. Commercialization of space
products is also a priority.
In terms of
partnerships, China is working with the European Space
Agency, Brazil, Russia, as well as a number of Asian-Pacific countries, Luo
said. While moving forward on their national efforts, China is also counting on extensive international cooperation, he said.
Eye-opener
China's ambitious space program was
clearly an eye-opener at the NSS gathering.
"Man oh man
... they're not kidding around," said one NSS attendee after hearing Luo's review
of China's past and future space intentions
"I don't
regard it as a threat...I regard it as a challenge," said former Congressman and
National Space Symposium leader, Robert Walker, in an earlier interview with SPACE.com.
"I think the Chinese have a very ambitious space program ... that they are doing
for reasons of national prestige."
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