NASA, China in Space Link?
The Chinese National Space Administration recently invited NASAâs head to visit China. The hope is that would be the first step in future cooperation between the two agencies, a first date in case âwe need to get married some day.â
This kind of exchange â and the cooperative work that would hopefully come of it â can only be good. Confidence Building Measures between China and the US, particularly in space, are absolutely essential. Both America and China have each expressed concerns about the other looking to weaponize space:
âThe pace and scope of Chinaâs military build-up already puts regional military balances at risk. China is likely to continue making large investments in high-end, asymmetric military capabilities, emphasizing electronic and cyber-warfare; counter-space operationsâ¦â Quadrennial Defense Review, Feb 2006
âChina is developing or improving counter-reconnaissance and counter-space capabilities using a range of solutions from low-tech denial and deception⦠to high-tech lasers and space-tracking devices.â
DOD Assessment of Chinaâs military power, 2005
âAt present, the danger of weaponization of outer space is increasing with each passing day. Taking weapons into outer space will lead to an arms race there and make it a new arena for military confrontation.â
âThe nuclear deterrence strategy based on the first use of nuclear weapons has yet to be abandoned. The trend towards lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and developing new nuclear weapons is worrisome. There has been greater danger of weaponization of and an arms race in outer space.â
Chinaâs White Paper on Arms Control, Sep 2005
Each nation is likely to weaponize space in the coming decades if itâs convinced the other is trying to do so â thatâs Arms Races 101. Thereâs no guarantee (and, admittedly, not a great chance) that cooperation in peaceful space exploration will prevent a space arms race. But it canât hurt.
-- Matthew Tompkins
UPDATE 9:30 AM: Looks like there may be some cooperation between the Russian and American military space programs, too.
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