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I will not sleep under light of a Communist Moon..

Night StalkerNight Stalker Member Posts: 11,967
edited September 2011 in General Discussion
Mea culpa... that quote was lifted from LBJ's character in the movie "The Right Stuff."

But it certainly captures the angst we Americans should all feel when reading the article below. We are falling behind in the technology field at a record pace. [:(]

NS

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China Launches 1st Space Lab Module Into Orbit for Docking Tests

China successfully launched its first space lab module into orbit in an impressive nighttime display today (Sept. 29).

The unmanned Tiangong 1 module lifted off on a Chinese Long March 2F rocket at 9:16 p.m. Local Time (1316 GMT/9:16 a.m. EDT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The spacecraft launched just days before China's National Day holiday, which occurs Saturday (Oct. 1).

"It's absolutely an accomplishment," said Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation, an organization dedicated to the peaceful use of outer space. However, Samson, director of the foundation's Washington office, added that the launch of Tiangong 1 represents an achievement that other countries, including the United States, managed decades ago. [Photos: China Launches First Space Lab, Tiangong 1]

"They're doing their version of Spacelab, but that's something we did back in the '70s," she said.

The Tiangong 1 module, which is expected to remain in orbit for two years, is considered an important steppingstone in the country's effort to construct its own crewed space station. The prototype space lab measures 34 feet (10.4 meters) long and 11 feet (3.35 meters) wide and weighed about 8.5 metric tons on Earth.

"The main tasks of [the] Tiangong 1 spaceflight include: to provide a target vehicle for space rendezvous and docking experiment; to primarily establish a manned space test platform capable of long-term unmanned operation in space with temporary human attendance, and thus accumulate experiences for the development of the space station; to carry out space science experiments, space medical experiments and space technology experiments," China's Manned Space Engineering office spokeswoman Wu Ping told reporters yesterday (Sept. 28) at the launch site, according to a translation provided by the office. [Gallery: Tiangong 1, China's First Space Laboratory]

Tiangong 1, which translates to "Heavenly Palace," will test docking technology in conjunction with three spacecraft - Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 - that will be launched at a later date, according to state media reports. These planned robotic maneuvers will be China's first dockings in orbit.

The Shenzhou 8 spacecraft will launch in early November, with Shenzhou 9 to follow in 2012. Both flights will be unmanned docking trials. The Shenzhou 10 mission, also in 2012, may carry a crew to Tiangong 1, a team that could also include China's first female astronaut, Chinese space officials said.

Tiangong 1 is also carrying medical and engineering experiments into space, according to state media. It is packed with 300 flags from the International Astronautical Federation, to commemorate the mission.

While Chinese space officials have indicated that the launch of Shenzhou 8 could occur in early November, but it's possible the unmanned mission could lift off sooner, said Dean Cheng, a research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think tank.

"The Chinese have put up launches within days of each other," Cheng told SPACE.com. "But we don't have a good indication as to exactly when it will go up."

The launch of Tiangong 1 is considered a milestone for China and its burgeoning space program. It is particularly important for China's space program after last month's failure of a Long March 2C rocket, which malfunctioned shortly after liftoff and did not reach orbit. [Related: US & China: Space Race or Cosmic Cooperation?]

"It's probably going to be a big deal in China, with lots of news coverage," Cheng said. "You'd probably have to make an effort to avoid it. Once this is launched, you are going to have just a huge amount of hoopla from the state-run media to remind the people of what is going on."

An investigation into the Long March 2C malfunction delayed plans to launch Tiangong 1. Today's successful launch using a similar booster, the Long March 2F, marks an important step toward fulfilling the country's goal of building a 60-ton manned space station by the year 2020. [Infographic: How China's First Space Station Will Work]

China is only the third nation, after the United States and Russia, to independently launch humans into orbit. China's first manned mission, Shenzhou 5, was piloted by Yang Liwei on Oct. 15, 2003. Two more manned missions followed, in 2005 and 2008.

http://news.yahoo.com/china-launches-1st-space-lab-module-orbit-docking-132401000.html

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Comments

  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That might be OK though, many on the board thing the lunar landing was a hoax, and others think the space program a total waste of time and money. This way we can buy it from the Chinese, like everything else sold in this country (and the rest of the world).
  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    American flag on board or just our loan notes for the world to see ?
  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He gave the Chinese our satelite technology back in the 1990's.

    http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/22/china.money/
  • Reaper1862Reaper1862 Member Posts: 839 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by drobs
    You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He gave the Chinese our satelite technology back in the 1990's.

    http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/22/china.money/


    Uh, correction, that was Reagan.
  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Reaper1862
    quote:Originally posted by drobs
    You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He gave the Chinese our satelite technology back in the 1990's.

    http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/22/china.money/


    Uh, correction, that was Reagan.


    Sure looked like it said President CLINTON. You have some links to Reagan for us?
  • ElMuertoMonkeyElMuertoMonkey Member Posts: 12,898
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Navybat
    quote:Originally posted by Reaper1862
    quote:Originally posted by drobs
    You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He gave the Chinese our satelite technology back in the 1990's.

    http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/22/china.money/


    Uh, correction, that was Reagan.


    Sure looked like it said President CLINTON. You have some links to Reagan for us?
    You might want to actually read the article.

    Here's a quote from it:
    quote:
    President Ronald Reagan first initiated the policy 10 years ago.

    Things would be so much easier if folks bothered to read and comprehend before opening their mouths.
  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
    quote:Originally posted by Navybat
    quote:Originally posted by Reaper1862
    quote:Originally posted by drobs
    You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He gave the Chinese our satelite technology back in the 1990's.

    http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/22/china.money/


    Uh, correction, that was Reagan.


    Sure looked like it said President CLINTON. You have some links to Reagan for us?
    You might want to actually read the article.

    Here's a quote from it:
    quote:
    President Ronald Reagan first initiated the policy 10 years ago.

    Things would be so much easier if folks bothered to read and comprehend before opening their mouths.


    Again, I'm tired of people like you WISHING they were right. From the 2001 CRS Report:

    "When the Reagan Administration first decided to allow China to launch U.S.-origin satellites, it cited the need to protect "legitimate U.S. national security interests" and promised Congress that an agreement would be concluded with China
    to safeguard U.S. technology from "possible misuse or diversion." Such an agreement on technology safeguards was signed on December 17, 1988, but apparently required renegotiation. A new agreement was signed on February 11, 1993 (Clinton's era). One question concerns whether China has abided by these agreements."

    Reagan allowed the Chinese to LAUNCH U.S. made satellites. He didn't GIVE them to the Chinese or surrender the technology. I can read--and I read the article. Apparently you need to bone up on basic English. BTW, I didn't open my mouth. I typed.
  • StengunStengun Member Posts: 254 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Howdy,

    quote:Originally posted by Reaper1862
    quote:Originally posted by drobs
    You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He gave the Chinese our satelite technology back in the 1990's.

    http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/22/china.money/


    Uh, correction, that was Reagan.


    +1.

    Then, in the 90's the (R) controlled Congress gave ChiCom our latest sat tech.

    Clinton didn't have anything to do with it and was strongly opposed to giving ChiCom anything but the right-wingnuts always want to blame Billy Boy for what the (R)s have done.

    When Clinton banned the importation of ChiCom guns and ammo he stated that the profits from those sales were used to expand the ChiCom military.

    Paul

    P.S. How quickly the righties forget.
  • NavybatNavybat Member Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Stengun
    Howdy,

    quote:Originally posted by Reaper1862
    quote:Originally posted by drobs
    You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He gave the Chinese our satelite technology back in the 1990's.

    http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/22/china.money/


    Uh, correction, that was Reagan.


    +1.

    Then, in the 90's the (R) controlled Congress gave ChiCom our latest sat tech.

    Clinton didn't have anything to do with it and was strongly opposed to giving ChiCom anything but the right-wingnuts always want to blame Billy Boy for what the (R)s have done.

    When Clinton banned the importation of ChiCom guns and ammo he stated that the profits from those sales were used to expand the ChiCom military.

    Paul

    P.S. How quickly the righties forget.



    And how poorly the lefties can read. From Newsmax:

    QUOTE
    Newly declassified documents show that President Bill Clinton personally approved the transfer to China of advanced space technology that can be used for nuclear combat.
    The documents show that in 1996 Clinton approved the export of radiation hardened chip sets to China. The specialized chips are necessary for fighting a nuclear war.

    "Waivers may be granted upon a national interest determination," states a Commerce Department document titled "U.S. Sanctions on China."

    "The President has approved a series of satellite related waivers in recent months, most recently in November, 1996 for export of radiation hardened chip sets for a Chinese meteorological satellite," noted the Commerce Department documents.

    These special computer chips are designed to function while being bombarded by intense radiation. Radiation hardened chips are considered critical for atomic warfare and are required by advanced nuclear tipped missiles.

    UNQUOTE

    Oh by the way, congress in the 90's had NOTHING to do with Reagan, who was out of office and living in Santa Barbara.
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