preface
In the vast universe, a new "space home" is quietly rising. It is not only the pride of China's aerospace industry, but also a scientific research platform open to the world. However, this space station, named "Tiangong", was shrouded in a veil of mystery at the beginning of its birth.
Will its emergence reshape the pattern of international space cooperation? Why did some countries' projects fail to board this "space ark"? As we unravel the mystery, a story of openness, collaboration and innovation unfolds, inviting us to explore a new chapter of space cooperation.
Look back at history
Looking back, the road of China-US space cooperation can be described as tortuous and bumpy. In the 90s of last century, the International Space Station project was in full swing, bringing together the wisdom and strength of 16 countries, including United States and Russia. At that time, China's aerospace industry was in a stage of vigorous development, and it was full of enthusiasm for participating in international cooperation. However, the rejection of China's application to join the ISS has been a thought-provoking topic.
CCTV's "Face to Face" program reported that China did apply when planning to build the International Space Station, but it was refused. This news once became a thorn in the hearts of many Chinese. However, things may not be as simple as they seem.
In 2017, Zhu Zongpeng, chief designer of Tiangong-2 of the Fifth Academy of the Aerospace Science and Technology Group Corporation, said on CCTV that China had never formally applied to join the International Space Station. The difference between these two accounts casts a veil of mystery over this history.
Whatever the truth, the Wolf Clause passed by the United States Congress in 2011 undoubtedly cast a shadow over U.S.-China space cooperation. The bill prohibits United States NASA from cooperating with China in space and excludes China from the International Space Station program entirely. This move not only restricts the technological exchange between the two countries, but also affects the development process of the global space industry to a certain extent.
Faced with such a dilemma, China did not stop there. On the contrary, these challenges have stimulated the morale of China's astronauts and pushed China's manned space industry to make great strides towards the road of independent innovation. From the Shenzhou series to the Tiangong project, China has left its own unique footprint on the stage of space exploration.
However, the wheels of history are always full of surprises. Will the twists and turns of the past one day be an opportunity for China and the United States to work together to explore space? In the face of this vast universe, the differences of mankind seem so small, so how will China's space industry write a new chapter in the next step?
The birth of the Chinese space station
Faced with the dilemma of international cooperation, China has resolutely embarked on the journey of independent research and development of the space station. Although this road is arduous, it demonstrates the indomitable spirit of Chinese astronauts. In 2010, China officially approved the construction plan of the Tiangong space station, starting a magnificent journey of space exploration.
From 2014 to 2022, Chinese researchers worked day and night on the development of the space station. During this time, they faced unprecedented challenges: technological blockades, inexperience, resource constraints...... Every problem is like a mountain that weighs on their shoulders. However, it is under such pressure that Chinese astronauts burst out with amazing creativity. With their own wisdom and tenacious spirit, they have overcome one technical difficulty after another step by step.
At the end of 2022, the Tiangong space station was finally fully completed and became a bright pearl in space. Although this "space home" is not as large as the International Space Station, every detail of it embodies Chinese wisdom. The Tiangong space station can accommodate three astronauts for long-term work and life, and is equipped with advanced scientific research equipment, becoming a veritable "space laboratory".
The completion of the Tiangong space station not only marks that China has become the third country to master space station technology after United States and Russia, but also a strong proof of China's space strength. It demonstrates China's ability to innovate in the field of space and lays a solid foundation for future space exploration.
In August 2023, the Tiangong space station successfully launched a micro-nano satellite for the first time, once again refreshing people's perception of China's space capabilities. This seemingly simple move actually contains far-reaching significance, indicating China's infinite possibilities in the application of space technology.
However, standing at this new starting point, we can't help but ask: will the birth of the Tiangong space station bring new opportunities for international space cooperation? How will China play its unique role on this vast cosmic stage?
An open and collaborative stance
The completion of the Tiangong space station is not a victory for China alone, but a scientific research platform open to the world. As early as March 2016, China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on International Cooperation on the Use of China's Space Station with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, opening the door to space for scientists from all over the world.
In May 2018, the China Manned Space Engineering Office, together with the United Nations, issued a global invitation to all countries to participate in the scientific experiment project of China's space station. This move is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in the global scientific community. Scientists from 27 countries have submitted a total of 42 applications to the space laboratory.
However, getting aboard the Tiangong space station is not an easy task. To this end, China has developed a set of strict and fair selection criteria. First, the bottom line is that the project must conform to the United Nations' fundamental principles for the peaceful uses of outer space. Second, the scientific significance should be prominent and able to promote progress in related fields. Furthermore, the technical solution should be reasonable and feasible and not pose a threat to the space station. Finally, the applicant is also responsible for the R&D costs. These standards not only ensure the high quality of the project, but also reflect China's openness.
After a series of screenings, 9 projects from 17 countries were selected. It is worth mentioning that China has provided generous support to these selected projects: free uplink launches, space station operation opportunities, and support services such as tracking and control, recycling, etc., which undoubtedly greatly lowers the threshold for countries to participate in space experiments.
What is particularly gratifying is that China is also encouraging developing countries to join this "space journey". Among the selected countries, there are not only developed countries such as Germany and France, but also developing countries such as Mexico, Peru and Kenya. This inclusive approach provides valuable space experiment opportunities for countries whose space industry is not yet developed.
In the face of such an open posture, we can't help but ask: will China's cooperation model reshape the pattern of international space cooperation? What role will the Tiangong space station play in future space exploration?
The truth about the non-selection of the United States project
In the list of candidates for the Tiangong space station international cooperation project, one notable absence has attracted widespread attention - the United States. The absence of this space power has made many people think about it, and some people even think that this is China's "retaliation". However, the truth is far simpler and more unbiased than imagined.
Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, said bluntly in an interview: The United States team did participate in the project application, but their project failed to meet the required standards. This is not a special treatment for United States, but is based on a rigorous scientific assessment. Zhou Jianping stressed that in the selection of projects, China did not exclude any country and did not limit any scope. The only criteria for the selection are the scientific merit and technical feasibility of the project.
This explanation undoubtedly poured cold water on those who speculated that "China deliberately excluded United States." In fact, China has always maintained an attitude of openness and cooperation. Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, has repeatedly stated that China is willing to carry out cooperation and exchanges with all countries, including United States, in the field of space.
However, the "Wolf Clause" issued by the United States Congress has become a barrier on the road to Sino-US space cooperation. The bill, which prohibits the United States space agency from cooperating with China, seriously hampers exchanges between the two countries in the field of space. Despite this, China remains positive. Lin Xiqiang made it clear that as long as the United States cancels this non-constructive bill, there will be broad prospects for cooperation between China and the United States in the field of manned spaceflight.
China's attitude shows the open-mindedness and foresight that a major country should have. It is not just a response to United States, but a commitment to the entire international community. In the face of the vastness of space, cooperation between countries is particularly important.
In the face of such a situation, we can't help but ask: Will there be a turning point in the future cooperation between China and the United States in the field of space? If the "Wolf Clause" is canceled one day, what kind of sparks will be created in China-US space cooperation?
Looking to the future
Standing at a new starting point, the blueprint for the future of China's space station is slowly unfolding. According to the plan, from 2021 to 2022, China will complete the in-orbit construction of the space station through 11 missions. This huge space project is like a well-choreographed space ballet, and every launch and docking attracts the attention of the world.
In the future, the Tiangong space station will usher in a busier schedule. Astronauts will stay in orbit for a long time to carry out larger-scale space science experiments and technological experiments. This scientific research platform, suspended above the earth, will become the frontier of mankind's exploration of the mysteries of the universe.
Interestingly, the Tiangong space station may become the only "home" of mankind in space in the near future. The ISS has been in service for many years and is likely to be decommissioned in 2024 if its service life is not extended. At that time, China's space station will dominate and become the only habitat for human beings in space. This prospect is both exciting and challenging.
In the face of such an opportunity, China has no exclusive plans. On the contrary, China continues to uphold an open and cooperative attitude and welcomes all countries to join this space "circle of friends". China's space station not only provides free uplink launch and operation opportunities for international cooperation projects, but also provides support services such as measurement and control, and recovery. This generous gesture will undoubtedly greatly lower the threshold for other countries to participate in space exploration.
Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, said that the true meaning of this cooperation is true: "This is a mutually beneficial cooperation, and the results can be shared. A lot of scientific research is geared towards important scientific questions rather than commercial purposes. This concept of openness and sharing has injected new vitality into international space cooperation.
However, in the face of such prospects, we can't help but ask: how will countries balance cooperation and competition in future space exploration? Can China's space station become a new engine for the development of the global space industry? The answers to these questions may lie in the next space exploration.