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China To Launch Second Manned Mission
the_central_kingdom wrote to mention a Xinhuanet article discussing a second upcoming Chinese spacecraft launch in October. From the article: "Although Sun did not provide details about the new mission, space officials earlier said China has been preparing for the second manned venture into outer space since the first mission, piloted by Yang Liwei, almost two years ago. Sun Laiyan, chief of the China National Space Administration, earlier told China Daily that Shenzhou VI will carry two men into orbit for five or six days. "
I can see my wall from up here!
air and light and time and space
wondering at how quickly and why the Chinese are catching up with the US.
/. trends aside, is there any particular reason for America's tendency to send many, many more unmanned than manned missions into space? Surely the fact that unmanned missions are cheaper alone did not result in the creation of this policy.
Commentary on
The good news is that soon our astronauts can fill up on General Tso's Chicken . The bad news is they'll be hungry again in 15 minutes . Are there cats in space :leaving:
The problem with chinese space travel, is 30 minutes later you want to go into space again.
watch out for these Chinese dudes. Everybody was glued to the screen back when Russ^H^H^H^H the USSR was doing the space race thing, but people aren't paying as much attention to Red^H^H^H China, but here goes one, then another, then two, then three, then space station, then moon...they'll be on Mars before long.
The difference between spam and poop is that you don't have to dig through septic tanks looking for real food. -- Me
Don't know how good this source is, but:
Here is something from Global Security about the origin of the tech.
Supposedly the tech is not just a copy of Russian stuff, and the Chinese are talking about what they are doing because they want to make money off of space services. You have to talk about it to sell it.
http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/when_to_
When you look at the history of NASA's space adventures, it's pretty clear that we sort of peaked with the the 1960s and early 1970s. Then they sort of went soft.
China's missions remind me of NASA's early days, when John Glenn and others made simple manned orbits. Sure, there was some scientific value to them, but the primary reason was: look what our country can do.
I not only hope China will continue to plan and conduct these manned missions -- but also I hope all of their missions are a tremendous success.
This and only this will spur NASA out of safety/budget land and go back to the cock&balls manned flights of yester-century.
Just my 2 cents.
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, START
Comment removed based on user account deletion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhou
Might want to double-check your link next time.
The difference between spam and poop is that you don't have to dig through septic tanks looking for real food. -- Me
He was destined to go into the space exploration field.
PS - Yes, yes, I know Sun in Chinese means "grandson". Cheap joke, I know.
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Will their re-entry vehicle be shot down?
Wait. They've got a re-entry vehicle? Why bother?
This isn't redundant. It's a joke. And appropriate given these sudden dearth of Chinese space missions while most of their people languish.
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Honestly, Chinese censorship doesn't work that way.
Imagine what would happen if an American astronaut made an obscene comment about Bush, how it would be treated.
Chances are he'd be let go and censored.
The thing you have to remember is that while China theoretically has a legal system, things like status and respect, the position of your family, whether you're native to the local area, etc. carry far more weight there than they do in the US. This is especially true regarding the power of your family. You can be arrested simply for looking grungy and hanging around a train station (as one of my Chinese friends was.) Similarly, you can get away with murder if you have the right connections. You'll still be tried and sentanced to death, but they give you, say, a year so that you can work your connections and quietly be declared not guilty.
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How good are Chinese hydrogen fuel sensors? Just wondering...
"Made in China" is on everything else in this country, so just checking.
I mean, the lunar missions all used what, 1960's technology? And now that the X-Prize MIGHT result in commercial orbitals, how much harder is it to go the moon once you are up there?
Seriously, I'm asking how much harder. I'm no rocket scientist.
Seems some rogue millionaire could have someone construct his a ship with all that extra cash using at least 1980's technology.
Yeah, I know your comment was a joke. But still, I think that there's a serious misunderstanding in the West of China's political situation.
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I have a feeling we are coming up to the next great Space Race sometime later this decade/ next Space Race. It seems to me that every country should have the right to be able to end people into space. With Japan starting to launch its own rockets, and India not too far behind, I wonder if Asia will have its own Space Race. It seems to me that the US will probably just sit there with the Shuttle and ISS until someone (maybe China) decides to go further out into interplanetary space, and then we might see some serious action on behalf of the US to ramp up its space initiative.
The article says that they'll 'venture into outer space'. Isn't it just 'space', not 'outer space'??
It would be nice if China had some kind of realization when their astronauts are up in space, flying around the Earth, looking down on a fragile ball, without any borders visible on the 'map' - that we are all one people, one race, one world.. a very fragile and exceedingly precious world.. here in our tiny, five mile thick zone of comfort, balanced between a world that is very very cold (space) and one that is very very hot.. (magma)
But instead, the Chinese that I have spoken to don't see this as some kind of triumph for mankind and instead, see it as 'catching up with America' - a continuation of what has become a national obsession.. Of course, they are catching up with America in 1963.. (which was catching up to the then-USSR a year earlier) but...
Ultimately, I think its a good thing.. The space cooperation between the US and the USSR was clearly, in retrospect a BIG thing in improving the relations between our two countries.. It may have saved us from a nuclear war during those years..
Now I'm praying that we don't end up in one in the 21st century.. Seems like both China and the US are currently ruled by the same kinds of idiots.. the kind that doesnt mind seeing millions of people die if its good for profits..
But.. any scientist could tell them.. IT WONT BE..
As Einstein said "We can't tell you what weapons World War III will be fought with, but we can tell you that World War IV, IF THERE IS ONE will be fought with sticks an arrows..
If we live to see it.. if the human race survives..
Just say NO..
Man, 10-15 years down the road there will be another cold war and another arms/space/tech race. And for the layman, that's great news. More jobs here in the US, more investment into tech with all the trickle-down effects, more investment into education, too.
And where the hell is NASA? The Chinese are putting men in space and we cower in our launch craft waiting for the safty teams to tell us it is only "damn dangerous". I will put my life where my mouth is - put me in space, and damn the hazards - let the cowards fly for NorthWest - I want to be on space!!!!
Sera
Slashdot, where armchair scientists get shouted down and armchair theologians get modded up.
If you think that's an appropriate name, there was a space tourist named Shuttleworth...
You misspelled expendable. Like they'd give two shits about an individuals safety.
The Chinese seem to be copying the old US space program fairly closely.
Why? National pride? To make money? Because its there?
The real reason the Chinese want to go into space is the same reason the US went there. It's the military application. If any country in the world wants to go toe to toe against the US in anything except a world destroying nuclear match up then they have to take the GPS and satellite spying monopoly from the USA.
It works even better if they find out a way take out US satellites without affecting their own. Blowing them up might cause large debris fields that are a danger to their own satellites. Maned missions could be sent up do attach de-orbiting rockets or more simply, spray paint the lenses and break off the antennae.
A US military without satellites has limited recognisance, communications, and command and control abilities. Some soldiers won't even know where they are.
I think the frightening thing for the US is that they won the cold war by simply outspending the USSR. With China's incredible growth it not many years before the opposite situation could occur.
Of course, Einstein didn't use caps, and he spelled properly, and he didn't even say that bit in caps if you want to be really picky, but you know.
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Just my not-so-humble opinion, but I've always considered the term "outer space" to be more appropriately applied to space which is beyond our own solar system. That would really make it genuinely deserving of the adjective "outer". Anyone else concur?
more investment into education, too
You misspelt propaganda.
The Americans are the ones agressively pursuing war. If you ACTUALLY have a look at America's history, you'll notice they STARTED and PROVOKED nearly 200 wars. Honestly, take a history lesson --- in all four corners of the globe, there has been millions of innocent children, women, men and babies massacred in the name of "freedom" and "democracy".
Lest we no through stones meanwhile occupying in the largest glass mansion on the face of the planet.
Why, the offending individual would simply be modded to oblivion.
silly child, sheesh!
Disclaimer: I am Chinese but not Communist; I believe in religious freedom and political relief for Tibet but not Taiwan Independance; I seek out new thoughts and ideas and will boldly post where none has before, but I'll shoot a phasor up your ass if you are a trolling bastard.
now then......would you care for some green tea?
Stay sentient. Don't drink bad milk.
da fei jie? What kind of boosters do you use? How many xdynes of energy output? (laugh...)
I'm all for more people getting into the space race.
Fuck NASA, lets get everyone involved!
Pretty Pictures!
The rocket motors on the Long March derived rockets use Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and Nitrogen Tetroxide as the oxidiser source. (probably due to it being related to the Dongfeng ICBM)
The smaller upper stages do use LOX/LH2 like the Shuttle system.
I am told the main reason for the ECO system on the Shuttle is that if the fuel runs out, the roket's turbopumps are liable to over-rev and disintegrate (bye-bye engine).
Assuming the long March motors use turbopumps to inject the oxidant, then they'd suffer the same problem. However, this problem need not be seen as 'critical' in a vehicle which is largely expended in launch and also includes a method for extracting the crew at any stage of launch, a launch-escape tower (actually a Solid rocket on the capsule).
Ripping an new rectum in the fabric of spacetime.
... but what the hell is a "space official"?
All I'm coming up with is "Commando Cody, Sky Marshall of the Universe".
Are there any scifi books out there that visit this topic of Chinese space ventures? Imagine something like China becomes the largest world power and controls every aspect of life and has the majority of our solar system explored and colonized! That would be interesting. ANy books like this?
So, which branch of the military industrial complex are you astroturfing for? ;-)
America cannot function without an enemy it seems. I often wonder if it's part of someones grand plan, or just a quirk of fate.
It's no different anywhere else my friend, trust me on that . People of all races / backgrounds are just as corrupt as each other. At least China is open about its censorship. Monsanto (sp) milk anyone? The government controls the media where you are, while the corporations do it here. The end result is the same.
I think the leaders of all countries would do well to get that. However, that's not why the USA or USSR went up. They went up to prove that they could drop nukes on each other on any target. So, please drop the romantic thoughts about space exploration. They do not come in peace. ;-)
I found an interesting BBC story on the upcoming launch. Apparently they will be testing pig sperm. The article also says that the astronauts will orbit the earth 5-6 times, not 5-6 days, which leaves me wondering which article is correct.
More jobs here in the US, more investment into tech with all the trickle-down effects, more investment into education, too.
Well, assuming that we can avoid nuclear annihilation this time, too.
N = R* x fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L
People of all races / backgrounds are just as corrupt as each other.
What do you base this on? Is this a belief, or can you cite studies? How have you measured corruption? How? If your interpretation is subjective, how much have you traveled?
I'm suspicious of the notion that all societies are equally corrupt, since it suggests that nothing at all can be done about the problem, which breeds apathy. If societies are not equally corrupt, then there are reasons for this which can be studied and used to help make some small inroads against the problem.
All cultures have some evil people, but they aren't identical in how they are corrupt. The US may have 'campaign donations' but it's a lot harder to bribe the local cops. Corruption in the US is organized and better tucked away and doesn't cripple small businesses the same way it does in some third world nations.
Right now I'm living in Makati, Philippines. Things are reasonably uncorrupt in this city but if you go into the provinces most of the cops are out for bribes.
The government controls the media where you are
I never said otherwise. My point was that censorship in China wasn't a matter of people being executed, which a previous poster implied.
The end result is the same.
Similar, yes. The same? No. On the up side, Americans can go out on the net and find information from contrary sources if they like. These are more likely to be blocked in China, though the censorship didn't seem to be that bad, when you got down to it.
In America, there was more freedom, but also the problem that because people were less likely to realize what was going on, they were more likely to trust the media.
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The Chinese are already unaware of boundaries on the map. They proclaimed ignorance of such boundaries when they went into Tibet, East Turkestan, East Kashmir. Soon they will say--" We saw no boundary from space between us and Taiwan so we will just come in. Move along anow !!"
**Life is too short to be serious**
Idiot. Red China has MAYBE $475 billion of T-notes. Less than 10% of the outstanding debt.
We could inflate our way out of their ENTIRE payoff in 24 months, without endangering our own economy.
The facts above are incorrect.
The "real" GDP of China is about 1.75 trillion. The price power parity adjustment GDP is 7 trillion. That adjustment is used to take into account that you can buy 6 bananas for a dollar in China, instead of just 2 bananas in the US. It accounts for any ability to buy stuff, and hence it accounts for the real value of their currency.
The "Real" GDP would apply more as free trade becomes more important, as the "Real" GDP will account for if everyone in america begin to spend all their money in China or vice versa.
It's entirely subjective, based on human nature. I have traveled somewhat, including China many years ago. Most of my travels have been in Europe (home), and North America. I would not say all cultures are equally corrupt, but it is present in almost all. Genetically, we may look different, but we have the same drives and goals that can lead to corruption. It would not surprise me if there were some societies that did not have corruption, but I'd bet that they would be small communities where corruption would be too obvious.
Corruption does not require evil people. Evil is a word banded about far to often these days, it helps detract from the idea that your enemy/opponent has a valid argument/beef with you. Saves actually arguing the point!
Corruption is merely a group of people who look out for each other, usually to the detriment of others. This basically how business works in many places, with people in private members clubs, 'secret societies' etc putting contracts each others way. From what I understand here in Scotland, just about any council work will be awarded to someone with some link to the person running the project, and of course it comes in at a higher quotation than the same work in the private sector. Not close enough to prove anything, but not fair either.
It's evolutionary. Those who looked after their own got rewarded with long life, prosperity and most importantly, many offspring. Corruption works!
Corruption in the US is organized and better tucked away and doesn't cripple small businesses the same way it does in some third world nations.
I'd say their situation is in fact worse. In the US, corruption IS business & politics at the highest level. They are at war right now at the request of these corportations. The US requires a constant enemy to prosper, it's industry and economy are heavilly tied to the arms industry. The people at the top ALL have connections like this. If it's such a free country, why don't the reporters pick up on this? Because they work for the same people.
Thousands of innocent people are dead because of this. Over oil mostly, but the regeneration and continued fear is also creating vast profits for companies like Harliburton and The Carlyle Group (sp?). Small businesses don't mean squat when you have that level of corruption in the world. Not when real people are being crippled!
In America, there was more freedom, but also the problem that because people were less likely to realize what was going on, they were more likely to trust the media.
No kidding! The ultimate problem there is that the propaganda starts at a very early age, daily pledges, marches etc., bog standard propaganda. They are educated that the USA is the worlds ultimate country, with the perfect system, run by the perfect people. Some sort of master race, if you will ;-) They have no critical thought, and just take everything at face value. Some of the studies are mind blowing, the levels of disinformation are incredible. Most Americans believe that 'the terrorists' are a highly organized and coherent group who 'hate freedom'. Of course, anyone with even the most basic knowledge of Middle Eastern history would know that they have plenty of completly valid reasons to hate the USA, in fact I would take their side on many issues in the region. These folk don't know how to play the western power game though; some think that terrorist acts help their cause. If they just played the media and explained to the US population the things that their nation has done, then they would be far more successful in their cause.
There's already another cold war going on, between Pakistan and India... with a participation from China.
Or there's the Taiwan - China cold war
Or the North / South Korea cold war with Japan participating