JimO: "Chinese space advances benefit everyone"

"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