I spent this morning watching a spacewalk by a pair of American astronauts. They were doing some work on the International Space Station. It’s the sort of “common” work that, in a few decades, will be “the daily grind” for people living and working in space. As I write this, I’ve got the HDEV camera view of Earth floating by on my second monitor, approximating the “Overview Effect” from my office.
In a very short time (compared to the length of human history), we’ve gone from being land-based beings to space explorers. To be sure, we’ve only gone to space between here and the Moon (and, of course, TO the Moon, 50 years ago). But, we’ve opened up space exploration for all kinds of people. There are a bunch of them passing overhead various bits of Earth’s surface every hour and a half. The International Space Station represents the first and best example of international cooperation of space explorers in our history. It has hosted hundreds of astronauts from around the world. They go up, they do work, they live in space, and after a time, they come back to Earth to continue their work.
“Little Kid” Spacewriter would find all this hard to believe. She began looking to the stars during the Apollo mission build-up. She dreamed of being an astronaut, like so many other kids since then. I once got a letter from a young lady in Zimbabwe when I was a graduate student, looking for information about NASA. She proudly informed me that she wanted to work at NASA and fly to space. I sent along information and encouragement because, to me, anybody’s dream of going to space should be encouraged. I do mean everybody.
China and Space Exploration
That brings me to China and the China National Space Administration (CNSA). I haven’t written a lot about Chinese space ambitions, and it’s high time I took a closer look at their projects.
I did some work with a science and technology museum in Shanghai as a content advisor a year or so back. It was mostly about astronomy and space exploration for exhibits. I was anxious to learn as much from our Chinese colleagues about their space program as I could share from them about ours. My counterparts were quite surprised that I was interested in it. I shared a copy of my book Space Exploration: Past, Present, and Future. It contains a general look at the Chinese space program.
They’re quite proud of their program. And why not? Many I talked to are as space-mad as I am. Their county is doing something cool and exciting. It was an interesting time and we all enjoyed sharing what we knew about space exploration.
The country’s program is a pretty robust one. The CNSA is responsible for all launches (satellites and other payloads). It also coordinates with private launch services (which DO exist in the country). China has its own fleet of satellites for various functions, as well as a rocket program built to further its ambitions in space.
China to Space
So, what’s China doing in space these days? Let’s take a look at some highlights. In late December, for example, CNSA launched its largest carrier rocket, the Long March-5. It is the workhorse “heavy lifter” of the country’s rocket program. Of course, the Chinese take great pride in their work and are rapidly becoming the third-largest space power. Like the U.S., Russia, and others, they continually test their rockets and other hardware, usually with great success.
To Near-Earth Space Orbit and the Moon
In recent years, among its other space aims, the Chinese program has focused on activities on the Moon. Its Chang’e-4 lander and rover are studying the lunar far side and have been doing so since 2018. It will be joined by Chang’e-5 later this year. I previously wrote about the Chang’e-3 lander and its successful lunar landing. The new mission will work on several tasks, including gathering up samples of lunar soil. Eventually, they’ll be brought back to Earth for study.
But, that’s not all that China wants to do in space. You’ve probably heard about their space station, Tiangong. Tiangong 2, the latest version of their station, deorbited in 2018. A new modular space station is planned for low-Earth orbit. Crucial parts are headed to space starting later this year as part of the Tiangong program. The large core module called Tianhe (which means “Harmony of the Heavens” in Mandarin) is first. Other pieces will be added on, later. They include an experiment module (for science research) called Mengian (“Dreaming of the Heavens”). There is also Wentian, another experiment module. Its name means “Quest for the Heavens”. Finally, there is also a space telescope associated with the station, called “Xuntian” (“Heavenly Cruiser”).
To support the construction, China has been testing its Long March rocket family, which will be used to loft bits of the station into orbit. Here’s a good video that covers much of China’s intentions for the near future in space.
Beyond Near-Earth Space?
China also has set its aim on Mars and other parts of the solar system. I’ll write in more detail about its Martian ambitions in my next entry. And, they aren’t the only ones reaching out to the stars. In all, when I was writing my book, I counted 72 countries (at the time of writing) with space programs or startups in space exploration. Spacefaring activities are no longer limited to the “big kids” club here on Earth. Nor should they be. Humanity’s future IS in the stars. After all, the stars are where we came from, long ago.