Controversy over the export of US-built satellites for launch by China has re-emerged, with legislation being pushed in Congress to ban such deals.
The launch of US communications satellites on Chinese Long March boosters was approved in 1989, overruling fears that this would allow China to obtain competitive space technology. Since 1990, several US-built satellites have flown on Long March boosters.
The latest furore results from allegations that Space Systems/ Loral chairman Bernard Schwartz promised to lend political support to US President Bill Clinton in return for obtaining routine approval to fly one of its satellites, the ChinaStar 8, on a Long March booster this year. The approval came despite accusations that Loral had provided missile technology to China in 1996.
Legislation on a ban has been approved by the House of Representatives, but must go through the Senate before becoming law. If Long March launches are banned, one immediate casualty could be Motorola's Iridium mobile communications satellite project.
Source: Flight International