China Launches A Rocket!

Summary: On September 29, 2011, China launched the Long March II-F carrying the Tiangong-1 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The actual launch date was August 18th, but it was postponed due to complications of the rocket. It was unmanned. They’re planning to try at least one manned ship, although they are planning several more attempts later on. China put out its first manned spacecraft in 2003. What they’re planning on doing is constructing a space laboratory by 2016 and building a 60-ton space station by – they’re hoping – 2020.

Critique: Frankly, I’m not surprised. All of the big countries have at least attempted to put some form of machine in space at one point or another. I had a feeling this would happen eventually, because it’s just another thing to put on the List of Achievements of China. Every country has one, I think; something that makes them better than someone else somewhere. For example: America had was the first country to put a man on the moon, but Russia was the first country to even think about doing something to explore space.

Impact: Well, now that China has joined the Space Race, I think America will want to outdo them, like always. Also, Hong Lei, from the Foreign Ministry, said that China is willing to work on projects with other countries. He said that there’s really no harm in getting involved with the Space Race. I guess this is true, because what could going into space possibly spark against other countries? If they were putting some form of Nuclear Machine in space, that would be a different story – although I wonder if someone will end up doing that later on . . .

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/China-Launches-Spacecraft-Eyes-Space-Station-130780933.html