ITExaminer.com November 14, 2008
Chinese space ambitions spark concern
ISRO and JAXA tighten cooperation
By Aharon Etengoff in San Francisco
China has sparked international concern by announcing the formation of an Asian space alliance.
Nine countries have expressed interest in joining the nascent Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, including Pakistan, Iran, Thailand and Indonesia.
Although China continues to insist that its space program is peaceful, the country set off a noisy wave of condemnation in January when it successfully destroyed a satellite with a ballistic missile. The Chinese military has also played a salient role in exploratory missions, with Chang Wanquan, director of the PLA's General Armaments Department, heading the commanding team of the recent Shenzhou 7 flight.
A number of nations, such as Japan and India, remain wary of China's space program. Indeed, the two recently bolstered cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). China reportedly fears that the move could indicate a US orchestrated anti-Beijing alliance, despite assurances that collaboration is limited to disaster management research.
"China is concerned about the general effort of the US during the Bush Administration to form a Japanese-Indian alliance. They are more concerned about what this implies about US intentions rather than what it implies about the intentions of the Japanese or the Indians, particularly as it concerns space," Dr Gregory Kulacki told the Asia Times Online.
Brian Weeden of the Secure World Foundation explained that the US perceives India as a counterbalance to China in the region, but does not view India as a full ally, like Britain or Japan.
"I do not think the US looks unfavourably on this relationship, but I am certain it will be examining it very closely, and if the US does have concerns, they will be quietly expressed to the Japanese," said Weeden.
Beijing's space programme certainly shows little sign of slowing. As IT Examiner previously reported, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has announced plans to launch at least five satellites over the next six years.
CASC reportedly inked a deal with China DBSAT to launch two communications satellites - SinoSat-5 (in 2011) and SinoSat-6 (in 2010) - aboard Long March-3B rockets from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Both satellites are expected to have a 15-year lifespan. In addition, the company clinched another agreement to develop three FY-3 satellites for the State Meteorological Administration. The units will be launched in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
According to GlobalSecurity, CASC is a large Chinese state-owned enterprise that operates under the auspices of the State Council. The corporation is apparently capable of developing and launching low earth orbit (LEO), geostationary and sun-synchronous rockets. CASC ranks among the world's most advanced in a number of sectors, such as high-energy propellant technology, strap-on boosters and the launch of multiple satellites atop a single rocket.
Over 130 organisations are subordinate to CASC, including the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology, the Chinese Academy of Space Electronic Technology and the Academy of Space Chemical Propulsion Technology. X
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