Posted by Ray Katz in Mars, current, moon
Chinese probe (on Russian rocket) aiming for Mars
The Chinese space program has some impressive accomplishments: sending a probe to the moon, several manned flights including a space walk; and next, a probe to orbit Mars.
But so much of their accomplishments depend on Russians. The Chinese manned spacecraft bears a striking resemblance to the Russian Soyuz—and Russians are heavily assisting the Chinese space program. Sometimes, the Chinese even use Russian space suits.
After passing some ground tests, the new Chinese probe, Yinghuo-1, is ready for a launch (later this year) to the red planet. The Chinese probe will be going to Mars on a Russian rocket.
What I’m suggesting here is not that the Chinese space program is weak, but that it is not as impressive as the old Soviet space program which really broke ground.
Nowadays, there are many co-operative international space ventures. This is a good thing. Space exploration shouldn’t be limited by nationalism. And yet…I have the feeling that the Chinese program is intended to glorify China to the world with its space acheivements. And those achievement are, to my mind, significantly aided by the Russians.
