http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/JJ25Ad02.html



http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/JJ25Ad02.html

China gets a jump on US in space


In late September, China's third manned space mission went off without a hitch. The Shenzhou-7 is now safely in orbit. Close by is the BX-1 "companion satellite" which was attached to Shenzhou-7 and later deployed via a simple spring mechanism. This satellite weighs between 30 and 40 kilograms, and it simply orbits around Shenzhou-7, sending back over a thousand images of Shenzhou-7 in the process.

While Western space experts may be divided over the exact purpose of the BX-1 mission, it is clear that China has every intention of driving its dynamic "dual use" space agenda as far as it will go. BX-1 could well be little more than a peaceful probe merely engaged in "close proximity" operations with cameras and transmission equipment aboard. Or it could be a prototype satellite attack dog, a space surveillance and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) platform with anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities, all rolled into a single menacing platform ready to pounce.

-snip-

"We do not know how close the BX-1 actually approached the ISS. But for me, at closure speeds of 3.1km/second, the Shenzhou-7 was already too close at 45 kilometers. I expect that in time leaks or questions from the Congress will lead to revelations of more data about the BX-1 pass-by of the ISS," says Fisher.

-snip-

Not only does China's BX-1 shine a spotlight on the enormous investment in US and European space assets - making them look very vulnerable indeed - but it also raises questions about one upcoming US satellite experiment in particular known as the Autonomous Nanosatellite Guardian for Evaluating Local Space (ANGELS). To assert that BX-1, with its emphasis on operations at close proximity, means that China was deliberately attempting to shadow and target the ISS and that China has now achieved or attained a breakthrough in space surveillance or SSA is not a wise idea. Still, the BX-1 is a game changer, and the ISS case file remains open.
-snip holding info on ANGELS-
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thus the BOO picture. the neo cons didn' think China could do this.

China has the macroeconomic controls in place to ensure proper investment in high-tech R&D, unlike the Western countries. They are efficient and disciplined in their activities. I say more power to them.

I just hope SOMEONE is going into space.

and they're trying to get the first trade pact with Space-Mart!!

CALL CONGRESS RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!!11!!!!11!!!!!1!!

NOW!!!1!!1

oh... wait.. ummmm

Way to go, China! Congrats!