The Chinese space programme has no plans or commitment from its government for a manned mission to the Moon, but could consider it soon, says China National Space Administration (CNSA) vice-administrator Luo Ge. Lunar plans are now robotic, with a flyby planned for 2007, a rover in 2012 and a sample return mission in 2017.
Despite the launch of China’s first astronauts in October 2003 and October 2005, manned missions beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) are not a priority. “We call these [robotic missions] our first steps. In the near future China will consider a manned mission to the Moon,” Ge told the US Space Foundation’s National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Instead China is planning an LEO spacewalking mission after 2007. CNSA is developing a spacesuit for the mission, but Ge would not comment on its development.
CNSA also wants to build a space laboratory by 2015. To launch it, CNSA is developing a new booster with a 25t-to-LEO payload capability. Its maiden flight is expected in 2010 or 2011. China also plans to develop Earth observation, communication and weather satellites. Ge said Europe’s Galileo system would “supplement” China’s navigation satellites, but the two would be different.
ROB COPPINGER / COLORADO SPRINGS
Source: Flight International
