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! Why do 'we' always have to be first?

[Mr.Phil]

But, that was Korea, not China! Otherwise it would be the Chinese War. *sigh*

It's amazing what people don't know about history isn't it. If the person that posted the parent to this thread wants to actually learn something about the Korean War and China's involvment in attacking a Western Power, this is a very good FAQ on the subject.

http://www.centurychina.com/history/krwarfaq.html

Re:Will a Sino-Lunar base be our Sputnik?

[mccalli]

While America was recovering from defeating Germany and Japan in WWII and taking a well earned rest, the Russian were forcing their captured German rocket scientists to...make a rocket large enough to put a satellite into orbit, this satellite was Sputnik.

Err...that may well be how it was presented, but I think you'll find that the Russians had quite a lot to do with the defeat of Germany. Possibly more than any other nation (a hard thing for me to say, as I'm British), and they certainly earned their rest. And the scientists that helped with the American space programme were also captured German rocket scientists.

Cheers,
Ian