A Look At China's Super-Secret Space Center

 

Super Secret Base Fuels China's Space Ambitions -- Nic Robertson, CNN 

Jiuquan, China (CNN) -- The first thing I noticed were the bicycles. Those who weren't riding them were walking. I was beginning to wonder if we'd taken a wrong turn. We were looking for China's super-secret space center. Our four-hour drive from Jiuquan in China's west had taken us past picture postcard fields and fish ponds framed by looming snow-capped peaks, through an oasis of green and finally across the arid Gobi desert. We had pushed through numerous military checkpoints and past cameras that flashed and took our picture as we sped past the seemingly endless shimmering sand hills. There should be no doubt we'd arrived at the right place, it just didn't feel like it. Read more ....   My Comment: The Chinese are certainly investing the monies and resources to have a viable space program .... but they are behind in space technology, and will probably be so for the foreseeable future. Update: China launches fifth manned space mission, set to be its longest ever -- Christian Science Monitor

Does China's Military Have it's Own Version Of The U.S. X-37B?

A close-up of China's robotic Shenlong space plane prototype tucked beneath a Chinese H-6 bomber for glide testing in December 2007. Chinese Internet

Analysts Keep Close Eye On China's Mystery Space Plane -- NBC.com/Space.com

Nature of Shenlong project, and what the robot vehicle truly represents, remain sketchy.

As the next secretive flight of the U.S. Air Force's robotic X-37B mini-shuttle draws closer, analysts are keeping a close eye on China’s own potential space plane, the Shenlong.

Last year several Chinese media outlets reported a test flight of the Shenlong space plane that apparently included its airdrop from an H-6 bomber. But the nature of the Shenlong project's testing, as well as what the robot vehicle truly represents, remains sketchy.

Several China watchers in the U.S. have taken a stab at what the Shenlong (Mandarin for "Divine Dragon) might mean, with some experts conjecturing that the craft is simply a tit-for-tat response to the unmanned X-37B space plane.

Read more ....

My Comment: Makes you wonder if the U.S. Air Force unmanned X-37B space plane's secrets were leaked to the Chinese.

U.S. Intelligence: China To Conduct Anti-Satellite Weapon Test

China To Shoot At High Frontier -- Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

U.S. Intelligence: China to conduct test of more powerful anti-satellite weapon capable of hitting GPS, spy satellites, but after U.S. election.

China’s military is set to conduct a test of a new and more capable anti-satellite missile that United States intelligence agencies say can knock out strategic satellites in high-earth orbit, according to U.S. officials.

However, a recent intelligence assessment said the test of the Dong Ning-2 direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon is being delayed in an apparent effort to avoid upsetting President Barack Obama’s reelection bid, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Read more ....

Update: China to test new anti-satellite weapon: report -- Taipei Times

My Comment: I am doubtful of the Washington Free Beacon's assertion that the Chinese are delaying their anti-satellite test to help President Obama win re-election .... my impression of the Chinese through all of my years of going there, living there, knowing many Chinese friends .... is that they do not care what happens in a U.S. election cycle. But the Chinese space program is ongoing, and it is their military that is calling the shots. Will they conduct an anti-satellite test .... I guess we will find out in the next few months ... but I would not be surprised.

China's Space Program Is Becoming More Capable

Soldiers stand in front of the Long March II-F rocket loaded with China's unmanned space module Tiangong-1 before its planned launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu province September 29, 2011. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

China's Space Know-How Said Threat To U.S., Taiwan -- Reuters

China's growing capabilities in space could undercut any U.S. military response if Beijing resorted to force to bring self-ruled Taiwan into its fold, a study released Friday by a congressionally mandated U.S. commission said.

China's military is rapidly boosting its space programs to advance Communist Party interests "and defend against perceived challenges to sovereignty and territorial integrity," said the 84-page report by the Project 2049 Institute, a research group on Asia-Pacific security issues.

Read more ....

My Comment: On the same day that this report on China's growing space program was released, America's space program decline was there for all to see.

China's Militarization Of Space Continues

China Increasing Military Use Of Space With New Satellites -- The Telegraph

China is taking rapid strides towards creating a network of reconnaissance satellites that could enable it to perfect a ballistic missile capable of sinking American nuclear supercarriers at long range, a report has claimed.

The assessment of China's growing space capabilities to be published in the Journal of Strategic Studies deepens concerns that China, which has long promised a "peaceful rise", is now developing a worrying array of offensive weapons technologies.

It comes as China's first aircraft carrier, the 60,000-ton refitted Ukrainian vessel Varyag, prepares is to undergo sea trials within weeks, according to report in China's state-run China Daily newspaper on Tuesday.

Read more ....

My Comment: They want the high ground.

Does China Have A Secret Space Plane?

An aircraft that is reported to be the Chinese stealth fighter, in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Photograph: Kyodo/Reuters

While The World Watched The J-20 Test, China Was 'Deleting Posts About A Space Fighter' -- News.com.au

NOW China's got a secret space plane.

At least, that's if you believe the internets, of which four of their 255 million websites are fairly crackling with the news that China's not taking the US domination of space lying down.

And good luck finding those websites, because, according to The Chosunilbo, Chinese authorities are "deleting all internet posts about the space fighter".

In fact, you'd be lucky to catch even this one. China, it seems, is playing a double bluff game while US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in town.

Cheekily, it sent out its new stealth fighter, the J-20, for a test run during his visit.

Read more ....

My Comment: If true, this is very sobering news. I know that China has a dedicated space program .... but unmanned space vehicles is something that I never thought that they were developing .... I guess I was wrong (maybe). Either way, this is a story that should not slip below the radar.

China Continues To Pursue The Weaponization Of Space

In this photo released by China's official Xinhua news agency, a Long March 3C rocket carrying China's second unmanned lunar probe Chang'e II is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan province on Oct. 1. Newscom

China Is On Path To 'Militarization Of Space' -- Christian Science Monitor

The Asian space race is moving along slowly, but steadily – and China is in the lead, with technology that could give it a military advantage over the US.

China looks set to pull ahead in the Asian space race to the moon, putting a spacecraft into lunar orbit Oct. 6 in a preparatory mission for an unmanned moon landing in two or three years.

Chinese engineers will maneuver the craft into an extremely low orbit, 9.5 miles above the moon's surface, so it can take high-resolution photos of a possible landing site.

Basically, China is looking for a good "parking space" for a moon lander, in a less-known area of the moon known as the Bay of Rainbows.

Read more ....

Update #1: China could soon leave US behind in militarizing of space -- Beijing News
Update #2: China's Militarization of Space a Long Term Threat -- Associated Content

My Comment: China's long term goal of achieving dominance in space is not being primarily driven by U.S. or Russian space objectives .... it is driven over what it's neighbor and regional competitor may decide to do.

Chinese General Sees Military Space Race

Xu Qiliang, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Commander, gestures during an interview with Xinhua. (Xinhuanet Photo)

From The Financial Times:

China’s air force chief has called military competition in space “inevitable”, a departure from Beijing’s past insistence that it is not pursuing space programmes for military purposes.

The remarks by General Xu Qiliang, head of the People’s Liberation Army air force, published in several state media, are a reminder of another area of potential future rivalry between the US and China. In addition, they indicate increased competition within China's military.

Read more ....

More News On China's Space Program And The Role Of The Military

U.S. Eyes "Intent" of China's Space Programs -- ABC News
US eyes China's rapid advancements in space -- AP
China's military making strides in space: US general -- AFP
China chief says space arms inevitable: state media -- AFP
China aims to put weapons in space -- Malaysian Insider
China air force talks space supremacy -- Press TV
China to develop space military capabilities -- The Hindu
China To Develop New Air Force Wing 'to Face Challenges Of Militarization In Space And Air' -- RTT News

Space Arms Race Inevitable Says Chinese Commander

A top China air force commander has called the militarisation of
space an 'historical inevitability' Photo: AFP

From The Telegraph:

An arms race in space is an "historical inevitability", a senior Chinese air force commander has warned, marking an apparent shift in Beijing's opposition to weaponising outer space.

China, which hopes to put a man on the moon by 2020, has long stated that it supported the peaceful uses of outer space and opposed the introduction of weapons there.

However Xu Qiliang, a senior Chinese air force commander, said it was imperative for the PLA air force to develop offensive and defensive operations in outer space.

Read more ....

My Comment: For the past week, Chinese officials have been making public announcements on China's intentions to militarize space. Is this troubling ..... to put it bluntly yes. An arms race in space will not only be very expensive, but the possibility of something going wrong will increase exponentially when more satellites and military platforms are put in orbit.

If Xu Qiliang is to be believed, China has already made a decision to proceed with a military program in space, and are using the excuse of defending themselves to justify this "new race".

China Warns Of 'Arms Race In Outer Space'

Image from China Defense Mashup

From AP:

GENEVA — China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called Wednesday for international diplomacy to avert an "arms race in outer space."

Space should be reserved for peaceful purposes, Yang told the 65-nation Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

"Outer space is now facing the looming danger of weaponization," he said. "Credible and effective multilateral measures must be taken to forestall the weaponization and arms race in outer space."

Read more ....

My Comment: This is not going to impress the international community. China's own space program is part of the military, and they are fully committed to expanding all facets of this program.