JimO: "Chinese space advances benefit everyone"

[Article snipped]

I wouldn't be surprised that we may see an announcement of a future Shenzhou
flight docking with the ISS before 2010. And if the Chinese can build a
Proton-class launcher, the Chinese might even provide launch services for
future ISS expansion modules after 2010.

--
Raymond Chuang
Sacramento, CA USA

In article et,
Raymond Chuang wrote:
...And if the Chinese can build a
Proton-class launcher, the Chinese might even provide launch services for
future ISS expansion modules after 2010.

They already have a Proton-class launcher, the Long March 3B. Whether
they feel like donating launches to ISS, or would rather build their own
station, is a different question.
--
MOST launched 1015 EDT 30 June, separated 1046, | Henry Spencer
first ground-station pass 1651, all nominal! |

OK who ordered Chinese? Yuri was that yours?







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"Henry Spencer" wrote in message
...

They already have a Proton-class launcher, the Long March 3B. Whether
they feel like donating launches to ISS, or would rather build their own
station, is a different question.

The fact there hasn't been a Long March 3B launch since 1998 tells me they
are some time from trying to man-rate the Long March 3B(A) rocket, which
would be necessary for at least a circumlunar mission (one trip around the
Moon and back).

Any serious attempt at a Moon mission using Shenzhou will probably require
the Long March Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) that will probably
start testing just before 2010.

--
Raymond Chuang
Sacramento, CA USA

Raymond Chuang wrote:

[Article snipped]

I wouldn't be surprised that we may see an announcement of a future Shenzhou
flight docking with the ISS before 2010.

We'll want to see them routinely carry out rendezvous and dockings of
their own first...

And if the Chinese can build a
Proton-class launcher, the Chinese might even provide launch services for
future ISS expansion modules after 2010.

We'll want to judge the reliability of this hypothetical launcher
over a reasonable number of flights, first....

But such a thing would give them a Zond-like circumlunar flight
capability, though.



--
Raymond Chuang
Sacramento, CA USA


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