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China lands rover on Mars

bbc.com

11–20 of 359 posts

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#11
post #7

It's impressive how far China has come in just 2 decades. How significant is this achievement space technology wise? I still remember the first rover on Mars and it was a really big deal in my eyes back then.

Consider that China is banned from the ISS and other kinds of space technology collaboration programs. China had to develop all space technology on their own. Some perspective on how significant.

They also steal research, but, I understand the point you are trying to make.

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#14
This is good, there should always be friendly competition between Nations to drive Space Exploration. I hope this lights a bigger fire under the ass of the current US Administration and NASA to push ahead harder, faster and farther. The US doesn't know how lucky they are to have SpaceX and Musk.

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Consider that China is banned from the ISS and other kinds of space technology collaboration programs. China had to develop all space technology on their own. Some perspective on how significant.

They also steal research, but, I understand the point you are trying to make.

When you look at the history of space travel. One of the first space programs (NASA) originated from Germany developments. North Korea nuclear weapons from Soviet undercover collaboration. Not familiar with specifics for your claim above, but just stealing is a miniscule part of what is really required for this type of effort

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#16
post #3

Now that more and more countries are getting into space exploration, I wonder how long it will be before commercial companies start developing and selling space probe platforms (just like launch platforms now).

SPAAS - Space Platforms As A Service

Where can I invest?

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Consider that China is banned from the ISS and other kinds of space technology collaboration programs. China had to develop all space technology on their own. Some perspective on how significant.

They also steal research, but, I understand the point you are trying to make.

You mean the point that history[1] tends to repeat itself[2]?

[1] https://www.history.com/news/industrial-revolution-spies-eur...

[2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Paperclip

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#18
post #7

It's impressive how far China has come in just 2 decades. How significant is this achievement space technology wise? I still remember the first rover on Mars and it was a really big deal in my eyes back then.

Consider that China is banned from the ISS and other kinds of space technology collaboration programs. China had to develop all space technology on their own. Some perspective on how significant.

Not downplaying the achievements as they just achieved something the Soviet and Russian programs could not even at the height of their powers during the space race. But there are plenty of countries most notably Russia that have allowed China to purchase military/dual use technologies. Hardware such as advanced fighter jets, missile and rocket technology, and there’s also the huge numbers of tertiary education students who leave China for education in advanced fields before returning home for their careers. All of this will have contributed in some way to advancing China’s space flight program.

They didn’t achieve this in a vacuum, let’s not perpetuate the notion that China is isolated from the rest of the world.

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#19
post #5

>Now that Zhurong has got down successfully, scientists will try to get at least 90 Martian days of service out of it, studying the local geology. 90 days, doesn't that seem short?

Spirit and Opportunity both had 90-day official mission lengths as well and look how long they lasted. I think this is a simple case of underpromise and overdeliver.

Ah that explains where the 90 days in the Chinese rover comes from. It’s per the original specs.

Re: China lands rover on Mars

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Consider that China is banned from the ISS and other kinds of space technology collaboration programs. China had to develop all space technology on their own. Some perspective on how significant.

They also steal research, but, I understand the point you are trying to make.

In the context of for-profit business I wholeheartedly agree with you, but in the context of space exploration, if there is research about how to go to the moon and Mars that can be "stolen," isn't the moral culpability on whatever entity is hoarding that knowledge?

Or is going to the moon and Mars the achievement of certain parts of humanity, to be kept secret from other unwanted parts of humanity?

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