Is it coincidence that India's first manned spacecraft is also scheduled for 2022? Or am I being too cynical?
Pakistan's Information Ministry has announced that Pakistani astronaut(s) will be sent to space in 2022 in cooperation with the People's Republic of China, and that an agreement to this effect has been signed between the Chinese Space Agency and the Pakistani agency SUPARCO(Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission):
Is it coincidence that India's first manned spacecraft is also scheduled for 2022?
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 10/25/2018 03:13 pmIs it coincidence that India's first manned spacecraft is also scheduled for 2022? Define 'scheduled', Phillip.Is there a sufficient budget for the Indian manned spaceflight now? (The answer is 'no'.)And to be cynical enough, the first Indian was flown in 1984.
Quote from: sanman on 10/25/2018 02:22 pmPakistan's Information Ministry has announced that Pakistani astronaut(s) will be sent to space in 2022 in cooperation with the People's Republic of China, and that an agreement to this effect has been signed between the Chinese Space Agency and the Pakistani agency SUPARCO(Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission):I'm happy to be corrected, but none of the reports I have read mention the "Chinese Space Agency" but refer to a "Chinese Company". Also, there is no announcement from the Chinese side, which one would expect to see when such a co-operative effort was proposed. It sounds more likely to me, that they have signed up with some unproven Chinese start-up, in a desperate response to India's earlier announcement.As I said, I'm happy to be corrected.
I too originally read reports of the announcement as "with a Chinese company" -- however in listening directly to the Pakistani Information Minister's announcement, he does specifically say "company", and then follows it with "CSMA"(sic), which I took to mean "CSA" (Chinese Space Agency). I presume that his previous use of the word "company" was accidental and really meant to mean "organization".
He said CMSA, which I think was probably a fumble of CNSA.Also, see this story from last year: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1578535/1-pakistan-send-astronauts-space-two-years/
China announced in May that it would welcome all member states of the United Nations to cooperate in and jointly utilize its future space station, which is expected to be built around 2022."The China Space Station (CSS) belongs not only to China, but also to the world," said Shi Zhongjun, China's Ambassador to UN and other international organizations in Vienna."Through the vehicle of the CSS, we would like to build a model of sincere mutual beneficial cooperation among countries in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space."Guided by the idea of a shared future for mankind, the CSS will be a home that is inclusive and open, a home of peace and good will, and a home of cooperation for mutual benefit, he said.
Quote from: sanman on 10/25/2018 04:14 pmI too originally read reports of the announcement as "with a Chinese company" -- however in listening directly to the Pakistani Information Minister's announcement, he does specifically say "company", and then follows it with "CSMA"(sic), which I took to mean "CSA" (Chinese Space Agency). I presume that his previous use of the word "company" was accidental and really meant to mean "organization".He said CMSA, which I think was probably a fumble of CNSA.Also, see this story from last year: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1578535/1-pakistan-send-astronauts-space-two-years/
So I'm just wondering if this CNSA-facilitated 2022 manned spaceflight by Pakistani astronaut(s) could potentially involve a mission to China's upcoming space station, which is scheduled to be in operation by that time. Can anyone comment on that possibility?
CMSA is China manned space agency.
Quote from: sanman on 10/26/2018 02:28 amSo I'm just wondering if this CNSA-facilitated 2022 manned spaceflight by Pakistani astronaut(s) could potentially involve a mission to China's upcoming space station, which is scheduled to be in operation by that time. Can anyone comment on that possibility?I had assumed that the Pakistani astronaut would visit the modular space station in the third seat during a crew rotation. That might mean just two men on a residency or maybe one of the Chinese from the previous launch doing an approximate year-long flight. I am sure that the Chinese would not want to waste a Shenzhou spacecraft on a solo "ego" mission for Pakistan, so the flight would have to fit into Tiangong operations.
Also, I'm imagining that this could be a chance for Pakistan to give input to come up with space food that meets halal dietary requirements, which could then benefit other countries that fly with CMSA.
Authorities in Xinjiang have launched a campaign against the “spread of halal”, claiming the growing number of halal products is encouraging religious extremism in the heavily monitored Chinese region.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 10/25/2018 03:13 pmIs it coincidence that India's first manned spacecraft is also scheduled for 2022? Or am I being too cynical?How is that cynical? Nothing bad about a wholesome old fashioned cold war rivalry, space race and nuclear standoff.
Quote from: ncb1397 on 10/25/2018 03:24 pmQuote from: Phillip Clark on 10/25/2018 03:13 pmIs it coincidence that India's first manned spacecraft is also scheduled for 2022? Or am I being too cynical?How is that cynical? Nothing bad about a wholesome old fashioned cold war rivalry, space race and nuclear standoff.How can this be considered a rivalry ? Paying someone to goto space is different from sending humans to space using your own technology.
It would also probably be much safer for a new astronaut from another country to be accompanied by Chinese astronauts, rather than going alone.
China's Next-Generation Crew Vehicle is supposed to be able to hold up to 6 astronauts - phew! That's Orion size!I wonder if it could be in operation in time for this 2022 mission. If that were used, it could afford the opportunity to send up a couple of Pakistani astronauts in the one flight.I'm assuming it would be officers from the Pakistan Air Force who would be selected. How many candidates would Pakistan likely send to China for training?
