Chinese Moon Base by 2012 - or 2006?

apsmith writes "Former congressman and House Science chairman Robert S. Walker has written some rather striking conclusions about Chinese intentions in space over the next few years, based on information received for the recent Commisison on the Future of Aerospace. Walker is convinced the Chinese are going all-out for a permanent settlement on the Moon within 10 years; apparently some closer to the situation in Japan think the first landing will be in only 3-4 years. Meanwhile the Economist says IT people are starting to focus on space as the next high-tech venue. Fortunately, despite NASA's neglect, we do have a few private missions to the Moon in the works."

Comments

Re:Good for them!

[thatguywhoiam]

LOL! Yea, I suppose they are going to build a stone tower to the Moon, perhaps they can mine the stones from that big tourist-trap wall (that CAN NOT be seen from orbit)? Or perhaps a big giant paper bottle rocket?

Hey - Snarky McFlamey - you have a problem with China going to the moon? What's with the vitriol?

There is certainly not anything wrong with any other nation going to the Moon, planets, etc. I say it's about freakin' time too! I also hope, but don't expect, that these other nations actually SHARE their findings with others to the extent the US does.

Oh, oh, I get it. They won't share. They might spend all that money and effort and not share everything with us.

However, every single estimate of modern Chinese (People's Republic) technological prowess has been wrong ever since that nation was formed.

Ooooo kay. So its not sharing, its that they can't do it. By the way, please post every single estimate of Chinese tech for me, I'm interested in verifying that claim.

Look, this is flamebait, dude. You said nothing other than "they suck, everyone says their great but they suck, they won't share if it turns out they don't suck, but they suck."

I'm with the others that would like to see *anybody* go to the moon. Anyone at all. It's been too long. It's worth going just for the hell of it. It's worth going to stop hearing about how we can't go anymore.