Before the International Space Station was launched into orbit in 1998, the U.S. signed a document with several other countries to agree to the peaceful use of the orbital laboratory. The agreement included Russia, Japan, Canada and 11 European countries. China was left out of the plan.
Nearly a decade later, China expressed interest in joining those on board the space station. The European Space Agency signaled support for the addition, along with South Korea. The final decision was ultimately opposed by the United States.
“I think you’ll have to understand that Congress gave us very clear direction in 2011,” NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said. “Any bilateral cooperation with China had to be certified as not sharing any information that would give China some kind of an advantage.”
In 2011, Congress included in a spending bill direction to prohibit collaboration between NASA and China when it comes to some scientific research, including in space. Lawmakers argued China’s program was secretive and too closely tied to its military.
NASA FINALIZES STRATEGY FOR HUMAN PRESENCE IN SPACE
China has become a new threat, setting up a new space race. (Starlab)
“I think there’s no question they’re an economic competitor and they’re also a competitor for leadership geopolitically,” Melroy said.
China began developing its own space station. It launched and deorbited a pair of short-term space labs between 2011 and 2018. It launched the first part of its Tiangong Space Station, which translates to Heavenly Palace, in 2011.
“We’re laser-focused on China now. China is a threat. We’re in a new space race,” said President of International and Space Stations at Voyager Space Jeffrey Manber.
Voyager is one of three companies contracted by NASA that is working to develop a new space station. Voyager says it is on pace to launch its Starlab in 2028. There are some fears that NASA will face funding cuts. If there are delays for the companies designing the next space…
