Step by step, China realizing space dream
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Xinhua, November 2, 2011
China's space exploration has taken another significant step with the launch of the unmanned Shenzhou- 8 vehicle at 05:58, Tuesday (21:58 GMT Monday).
The spacecraft rode a Long March 2F rocket, lifting away from the Jiuquan spaceport, into orbit, where it will attempt to rendezvous and dock with the Tiangong-1 lab, launched in September.
It will be a couple of days before Shenzhou is in a position to attempt the docking, which will occur some 340-km above the Earth. And it would be the country's first space docking.
The capability is required if the country is to carry through its plan to build a space station by about 2020.
The Shenzhou- 8's dock mission with Tiangong-1 is part of step two of China's incremental program for human spaceflight.
Step 1 is to demonstrate manned spaceflight, which was completed that with Shenzhou 6. Step 2 is to demonstrate advanced capabilities required for an eventual space station. Tiangong and Shenzhou 8 are part of that, as Shenzhou 8, 9, 10 over the next two years will be to test docking, manoeuvring and later – missions 9 and 10 – long duration life support systems, according to relevant experts.
The launch of the Tiangong module last month was widely seen as a corner stone in China's quest of its own space station. But as experts noted, China's ‘Step 3' plan for a larger space station is dependent on successfully meeting the challenges outlined for step 2, and the development of the Long March 5 heavy lift vehicle.
On the flip side, the US Congress was so concerned about China's progress in space exploration that a provision was included in NASA's budget prohibiting NASA and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from spending funds to “develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company.”
But, The US restrictions on cooperating with China have, in my opinion, served little useful purpose and have perhaps even been counterproductive in pushing China to work faster and with more dedication on its own program.
Independent innovation can be seen in the whole course of China's technology development since the founding of New China 62 years ago.
In 1955, Qian Xuesen, a brilliant rocket scientist who had single-handedly led China's space and military rocketry efforts, returned to China from the U.S. after breaking through assorted obstructions. Senior General Chen Geng, then deputy chief of general staff of the PLA, asked him whether Chinese people could develop missiles of their own.
Qian replied: "We Chinese people can develop anything that is developed by foreigners as we are not inferior to them."
Anytime in history and whatever hardships lurking ahead, nothing could hold back the will and wish of the Chinese people to stand strong on their own feet.
Currently, China's mere presence in the sky has already showcased a remarkable achievement; and step by step, it will realize its dream of flying Apsaras.
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