China's Space Program Is Rapidly Catching Up To The US

A recent report, "Redshift," co-authored by Jonathan Roll, a research analyst at Arizona State University, paints a sobering picture of China's rapidly advancing space program. According to Roll, who has been studying China's space ambitions for years, the country's progress has been nothing short of remarkable. In an interview with Ars Technica, Roll noted that his research had revealed significant strides in China's space endeavors, with the nation seemingly intent on challenging the United States' long-held dominance in the field.

The report, sponsored by the US-based Commercial Space Federation, highlights China's swift deregulation and innovative approaches to space exploration. A pivotal decision made by the Chinese government in 2014, known as "Document 60," has been instrumental in this progress. By allowing native companies to license government technology and utilize private capital for civilian space infrastructure, China has created a fertile ground for growth.

However, this newfound openness comes with a caveat: private companies and academics are required to share new technology with the military when ordered to do so. As Ars Technica reports, China's space program is poised to equal, if not surpass, that of the United States in the near future. With plans to land humans on the lunar surface before their American counterparts, China is aggressively pushing the boundaries of ← →

As Jonathan Roll neared completion of a master's degree in science and technology policy at Arizona State University three years ago, he did some ...

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