Is China's Space Race An Opportunity For the US?

Hugh Pickens writes "Lieutenant General Frank Klotz (ret.), the former vice commander of Air Force Space Command, writes that it's worth considering whether aspects of the U.S.-Russian experience with space cooperation can be pursued with China to serve long-term American interests. 'China has in many respects already reached the top tier of spacefaring nations — with profound implications for America's own interests in space,' writes Klotz. While initially starting well behind the two original space powers, China has slowly but steadily added accomplishments to its space portfolio, conducting nineteen space launches in 2011 — twelve less than Russia but one more than the United States. It's worth recalling that even in the darkest days of the Cold War, the United States and its archrival at the time — the Soviet Union — embarked upon cooperative efforts in space, most famously with the joint Apollo-Soyuz docking mission in 1975 and today the first stage of one of the rockets that currently lofts U.S. national-security satellites into orbit — United Launch Alliance's Atlas V booster — uses the powerful RD-180 rocket engine, which is made in Russia. Washington has called for enhanced dialogue with Beijing on strategic issues and for military-to-military exchanges to help reduce uncertainty and potential misunderstandings, however, in May of last year, the House inserted a provision into the NASA appropriations bill prohibiting the US from spending any funds 'to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company' and blocking the hosting of official Chinese visitors at facilities belonging to or used by NASA. 'This legislative action reportedly reflected deeply held concerns about protecting American intellectual property and sensitive technologies in the face of aggressive Chinese attempts to glean scientific and technical information from abroad,' writes Klotz. 'However, in the process, it foreclosed one possible avenue for gaining greater insight into China's intentions with respect to space.'"

Comments

Fine China Under RICO for IP Violations

[Baldrson]

If the US is concerned about intellectual property violations from China, it is a simple matter to fine China under RICO statutes:

Just cancel out debt owed to China in proportion to the actual damages. Triple that canceled debt if there is criminality under RICO.

Then if guys like Klotz want a more open relationship and technological exchange with China, all the government policy measure involves lifting trade barriers to let our space entrepreneurs do business with Chinese companies. Again, if the Chinese act as an organized crime syndicate to violate the IP of the entrepreneurs, cancel out debt to China. Keep doing it until the debt is gone and -- if necessary -- reversed.

Oh, and this idea that it is ok to trade with countries that routinely engage in human rights abuses is essentially participating in slave trade. It should be US policy not to engage in slave trade nor to allow domestic companies to engage in slave trade.

Finally, if you REALLY want to get US innovation going, reverse the current tax situation in which the only national asset tax is the patent fee and the rest of the revenue comes from taxes on economic activity:

Tax only property net rights at their liquidation value at a rate equal to the national debt, and exempt inventor owned patents from any taxes or fees.