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

Hugh Pickens writes 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 ...

accomplishments action alliance america american apollo-soyuz appropriations atlas beijing china chinese chinese-owned cooperation experience facility frank house hugh pickens implications information intention klotz lieutenant mission nasa nation opportunity provisions russia soviet technology united states washington