China s dash for space development

Transcription

1 China s dash for space development Lee Joo-ryang Associate Researcher of Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) In November of 2011, China s unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou-8 ( 神 舟 ) successfully docked with the space laboratory module Tiangong- 1 ( 天 宮 ) in space, more than 343km above the earth s surface. Until then, the USA and the former Soviet Union were the only two countries that had successfully linked two objects moving through space at 28,800km/h, ten times faster than a bullet, within an allowable margin of error of 18cm. The successful docking demonstrates that China s space technology is on par with that of the USA and Russia. After becoming the world s third country to send a manned spacecraft into orbit in 2003, and launching a lunar probe in 2007, China has made another shocking breakthrough, dubbed Chinese Sputnik, with this successful docking. This breakthrough for China did not happen overnight. It was the result of a half-century s efforts since Qian Xuesen ( 錢 學 森 ), the father of Chinese space technology, presented in 1956 a report titled Opinions on Establishing China s National Defense Aeronautics Industry, and Mao Zedong ( 毛 澤 東 ) 109

2 advocated in May of 1958 that China produce its own man-made satellite, as had the USA and the former Soviet Union. Chinese Sputnik China has been putting on a spectacular space show each year since it launched its first unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou-1, in November of Investing USD billion in space development annually, the country has succeeded in launching eight manned and unmanned spacecraft and two lunar probes, space walking, launching a space station module, and docking a space flight to the International Space Station (ISS). China s recent success in docking proves the feasibility of China s plan to build a large space station by 2020, magnifying the concerns of nations competing with China. Pax Britannica refers to the period of relative peace in Europe when it was controlled by the British Empire in the 19th century, and Pax Americana refers to the state of relative international peace overseen by the USA since the Second World War. The world is now transitioning into Pax Sinica, which refers to the time of global peace maintained by China s control over the economy. This phenomenon also applies to space development. The result of a half-century s efforts Changzheng ( 長 征 ) is a family of rockets China developed using its own technology. The first of the series was built in Changzheng-3, a space launch vehicle developed to deliver spacecraft to geostationary transfer orbit, is highly regarded for its sophisticated technology. Currently, China is developing Changzheng-5, a next-generation heavy lift launch system. For the launching of Changzheng-5, China is constructing its fourth satellite launch center in Wenchang, Hainan, the others being in Jiuquan, Taiyuan, and Xichang. Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, which is scheduled to be completed in 2013, plans to launch 10 to 12 state-of-the-art satellites within 110 POSRI Chindia Quarterly Spring 2012

3 a year of completion, including manned spacecraft and orbit satellites. A series of five weather satellites, called Fengyun ( 風 雲 ) are in operation. In particular, Fengyun-3A, which was launched in 2008, became well-known after presenting highly accurate weather forecasts during the Beijing Olympics. The Yaogan ( 遙 感 ) Series, which China developed as earth observation satellites, is used for scientific experiments and land resource surveys. China signed an agreement with Brazil in 1988 to jointly develop the China Brazil Earth Resource Satellite (CBERS), and three CBERS satellites were launched from 1999 to In recent years, China has also stood out in the fields of manned spacecraft and space exploration. China launched its first manned spacecraft, Shanzhou-5 in Shenzhou-7 was launched in 2008, making China the world s third nation to succeed at space walking. China s lunar exploration program consists of three phases: orbiting, landing, and returning. China has already launched Chang e-1 ( 嫦 娥 ) lunar orbiter in 2007, which has transmitted images of the entire lunar surface and investigated the distribution of chemical elements on the surface. The dual purposes of scientific advancement and military agendas Space development has two purposes: commercial and military applications. Examples of commercial uses include viewing soccer games held on the opposite side of the earth via satellite, predicting the course of typhoons minute by minute, and developing light and durable new materials to adapt to extreme conditions. Some key products that were commercialized as a result of space development include heat-resistant firefighting gear, memory foam that recognizes the shapes of objects, Lasik surgery, microwave ovens, sugar content meters, Post-it notes, and Tang juice mix. 111

4 Military applications are also an important purpose of space development. During the Iraq War, the USA was able to observe the movements of the Iraqi troops using satellites with high-resolution imaging, and to hit targets without error using state-of-the-art weapons systems that utilize the Global Positioning System (GPS). Japan deployed a radar reconnaissance satellite independently from the USA, after North Korea fired its long-range ballistic missile Taepodong-1 in 1998, to monitor nuclear experiments in North Korea. As examined above, space development technologies are important not only for the survival and strategy of a nation. A high value-added industry, space development improves people s lives, and is at the core of national security and competitiveness. For these reasons, countries around the world have significantly increased their investment in space development since the 2000s. In 2009, the world spent USD 68 billion on space development, a 10% increase year-on-year. This trend of increasing investment in space has continued for over a decade since Space development first began with military purposes during the Cold War Era, but shifted gears to focus on commercial purposes after the Cold War. A noteworthy fact is that space development around the world has been shifting back, with increased emphasis on military purposes, since Of the world s total investment of USD 68 billion in space development, 53% was in the commercial sector, and 47% was in the defense sector. The world s commercial space development budget in 2009 was USD 36 billion, a 9% increase year-on-year, while investment in space development for military purposes was USD 32 billion in 2009, a 12% increase from the previous year. In 1990, the world s total space development budget was USD billion, 29% of which was military space development budget. In 2009, the share of military space development increased to 47% of the total space development budget. Defense space budget has been increasing continuously since POSRI Chindia Quarterly Spring 2012

5 Wary eyes on China s space development Space development goes hand in hand with defense technology development. Satellite and rocket technology, and missile technology, are like two sides of a coin. Some people say that missile technology is sideways rocket technology. China s space development puts an especially high priority on military purposes. China s military authorities, who are readying stealth fighters and aircraft carriers, are deeply involved with space development. The General Armament Department of the People s Liberation Army (PLA) is, in fact, conducting China s space development project, As the ISS, which is jointly operated providing funding and by the USA and Russia, is scheduled for decommissioning in 2020, China manpower, including is expected to be the only nation their own astronauts. The operating a permanent manned chief commander of space platform. China Manned Space Engineering Project is Chang Wanquan ( 常 万 全 ), a general of the People s Liberation Army, the current director of the PLA General Armament Department, and a member of the Central Military Commission of the People s Republic of China. For this reason, nations around the world are casting their wary eyes on China s breakthroughs in space technology, while congratulating China. The people of South Korea, one of China s nearest neighboring countries, have reason enough to worry. In 2007, China shot down one of its old weather satellites with a ballistic missile and proved its ability to attack military satellites. China s recent success in docking has military significance: China has the technology to set a satellite in exact orbit and make fine adjustments to the velocity and position of a satellite in space. Since the early 2000s, China has been working on the Bei Dou ( 北 斗 ; the Big Dipper) Project, a Global Navigation 113

6 Satellite System (GNSS) that will keep the USA s GPS in check. As the ISS, which is jointly operated by the USA and Russia, is scheduled for decommissioning in 2020, China is expected to be the only nation operating a permanent manned space platform. Space stations can easily be used for military purposes. Therefore, China s space development will surely cause increasing tension among neighboring nations. China s Communist authorities are hoping that space development will help improve the nation s international status. For this reason, China has launched many of its spacecraft on National Day (the anniversary of the nation s foundation). During the years of Deng Xiaoping ( 鄧 小 平 ) and Jiang Zemin ( 江 澤 民 ), space development plans were used to promote patriotism. South Korea in need of a transnational system for the advancement of science and technology China s first successful docking deserves much praise. It advanced the hopes and dreams of space development and extended human activities from the earth to faraway space. In the meantime, South Korea s first test rocket, Naro, failed to reach orbit after liftoff. South Korea must face this reality and examine the lessons it can learn from China s success. Space development is a major scientific field. It requires medium- to long-term plans and huge investment over a long time. A national system is necessary to make a comprehensive compilation of research outcomes in each field and manage them effectively. At a time when the average annual income of South Korea is over USD 20,000, and the national strategy for developing science and technology is shifting from imitation to creation, a major scientific field requires a growth engine. Because independent development in science and technology has limits, related scientific fields must come together to set and pursue lofty goals in order to achieve shared breakthroughs. South Korea should carefully examine China s space 114 POSRI Chindia Quarterly Spring 2012

7 development history, especially the implications of China s recent success in docking, to determine whether South Korea s strategies for advancing science and technology are fragmentary or shortsighted. South Korea could utilize the insight gained from this reflection to create its own growth engine. 115