1. Do you think China's assertion into the space program will spark a response from other countries? Specifically countries like the US who had a raging space program in the 60's and 70's but since then have had much less involvement.
2. Do you think China is truly interested in advancing its scientific prowess, or is it a patriotic show of modernization towards other countries?
3. With such ambition what do you predict the Chinese government will invest in the future?
1. China's assertion into the space program MAY spark a response from other countries, but this will depend on what they can achieve. The immediate mission does not accomplish anything significant beyond what the U.S. and the former Soviet Union have done. However, if China can "raise the bar" and explore new areas of space or develop significant improvements in space travel, other countries may feel compelled to do more.
ReplyDelete2. The answer is "yes" :) I think China truly wants to advance its scientific capabilities. They have built a strong manufacturing base but it is built largely on the innovation started in other countries. Moving "up the scientific food chain" as an innovator is good for China. But I believe the space program is a patriotic show as well. It demonstrates that China can achieve many of the same things that the former greatest superpowers have accomplished -- and possibly more in the future. Furthermore, having a strong ability to deploy technology in the air/sky/space also enables a greater set of military options for China. John F. Kennedy certainly used the US space program as a means to energize the US during the Cold War AND enable new missle and missle-defense strategies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Race
3. For the reasons stated in item #2, I believe that China will continue (or increase) investment into space exploration in the future.