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13 October 2005 |
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http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?... |
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Competition: While the U.S. tries to repair its aging shuttle fleet, China puts its second and third astronauts in space with more on its mind than seeing how tadpoles do in zero gravity. To many in the U.S., the launching of a pair of Chinese astronauts into orbit two years after China became only the third nation to accomplish the feat of putting a human in space invokes a been-there-done-that type of yawn. But to trained observers, China's ambitious space program is a sign it intends to compete with the U.S. in all areas, including military applications - an intent that may not be peaceful in nature. To be sure, there is an element of national pride and prestige as a China historically a victim of foreign interference, invasion and domination demonstrates that it can now run with the big dogs even in the most advanced technological areas. And as with Sputnik, it is touted as a validation of their Communist system. But as with Sputnik, the launch of Shenzhou 6, or Divine Vessel 6, carrying "taikonauts" Fei Junlong and Nie Haishen, carries with it military implications. Missiles that can launch manned space capsules can launch other things as well, and satellites can do more than monitor weather. China insists its aspirations in space are strictly peaceful, yet its space program is run by the People's Liberation Army. On top of the Long March 2F rocket that carried Shenzhou 5 into space was a Chinese military intelligence satellite that was successfully placed into orbit shortly after the 14-orbit mission began. Attached to the Shenzhou 5 capsule was an infrared camera capable of photographing objects as small as 5 feet in width. Shortly before the launch of Shenzhou 5, Lt. Col. Mark Stokes, director of the Taiwan desk at the Pentagon, gave a speech noting the close link between China's space program and its military. Stokes observed that China's "space assets will play a major role in any use of force against Taiwan and in preventing foreign intervention" and that it was developing networks of satellites to be used for spying and communications for the military. China also has shown "significant indications" of developing space weapons, such as satellite-killing missiles, lasers, and satellites that would disable U.S. satellites that are the eyes, ears, and communication link for our high- tech military. Last year China successfully launched two new satellites, one of which was a "Nano-satellite" developed by the PLA-run Qinghua University. The satellite weighed all of 55 pounds and, according to Richard Fisher, a defense analyst at the Center for Security Policy, it was part of a Chinese Army space program. Fisher states such satellites are intended for "surveillance, reconnaissance, communications and for destroying enemy satellites" and that China is developing "new mobile, solid-fueled vehicles" that can launch such satellites on a moment's notice and target the very orbits " where many sensitive U.S. military satellites reside." In its annual report to Congress in 2003, the Pentagon noted China's robust R&D program for anti-satellite laser weapons and that such a weapon could pose a threat to U.S. satellites by 2010. Captain Shen Zhong of China's Navy Research Institute recently said: "The mastery of outer space will be requisite for military victory, with outer space becoming the new venue for combat." Shenzhou 6 may seem like a small step. But as the Chinese saying goes, that's how the longest journey begins: with a single step.
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