Author Topic: Chinese astronaut talks openly about ISS partnership aspirations (Read 7757 times)

PeterAlt · « **on:** 07/26/2011 01:44 am »

See: http://www.space.com/12411-china-space-station-tiangong-readied-launch.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29

We should just invite them. Why not? If we don't, they will build their own station. Wouldn't it be better if they use these resources to enlarge and increase the capabilities of the existing international one?

I think as time progresses and we see them fabricating modules that are for their own independent station, not the ISS, someone may ask "why aren't they going to ISS?", starting an irreversible chain reaction that wil make its way to the ears of politicians. There's still plenty of time before planning could start on the 'Chinese Segment' of ISS for all potential parties involve. If this does happen, I envision this as the next 'phase' of ISS development after the Russian Segment expansion.

manboy · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/26/2011 04:25 am »

Wolf would never let it happen.

vt_hokie · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/26/2011 04:27 am »

I hope China's knock-off Russian space hardware is safer than its knockoffs of German and Japanese high speed trains...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/world/asia/25train.html?_r=3&hp

SpacemanInSPACE · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/26/2011 04:53 am »

Quote from: PeterAlt on 07/26/2011 01:44 am

See: http://www.space.com/12411-china-space-station-tiangong-readied-launch.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29

We should just invite them. Why not? If we don't, they will build their own station. Wouldn't it be better if they use these resources to enlarge and increase the capabilities of the existing international one?

I think as time progresses and we see them fabricating modules that are for their own independent station, not the ISS, someone may ask "why aren't they going to ISS?", starting an irreversible chain reaction that wil make its way to the ears of politicians. There's still plenty of time before planning could start on the 'Chinese Segment' of ISS for all potential parties involve. If this does happen, I envision this as the next 'phase' of ISS development after the Russian Segment expansion.

For starters, hardcore conservatives in Congress would be totaly against it and would cause more of a hassle in allowing a partnership then it is worth.

Even if they were invited however, I think they would still end up building their own station.

Edit - Also, I read that article, which I found to be a very confusing read. But I will say that I am hopeful that we find future cooperation soon.

Norm38 · « **Reply #4 on:** 07/29/2011 02:33 am »

They should build a module. Seriously, why not? Rather than having them build a short lived station, why not have them add functionality to the ISS? They provide a hab module and they get to have a permanent resident. Sounds fair to me.

hop · « **Reply #5 on:** 07/29/2011 03:40 am »

Quote from: Norm38 on 07/29/2011 02:33 am

They should build a module. Seriously, why not?

1) Congress has forbidden NASA from even exploring the idea. I personally think this is silly, but that's the way it is. (IMO, the descision should come *after* exploring the possibilities and evaluating the pros and cons... but they didn't ask me

)
2) It would require a large investment of resources by the other partners. Lots and lots of engineering has to happen before anything is added to the station, or any new vehicles visit. This can't even start until there is a working engineering relationship, agreement on standards, lots of translations etc.
3) Technology transfer sensitivities on the US side.
4) Chinese willingness to provide a sufficient level of insight into their program.

Quote

Rather than having them build a short lived station, why not have them add functionality to the ISS? They provide a hab module and they get to have a permanent resident. Sounds fair to me.

The devil is in the details.

nethegauner · « **Reply #6 on:** 08/03/2011 01:23 pm »

Quote from: vt_hokie on 07/26/2011 04:27 am

I hope China's knock-off Russian space hardware is safer than its knockoffs of German and Japanese high speed trains...

Good point ..!

Quote from: hop on 07/29/2011 03:40 am

4) Chinese willingness to provide a sufficient level of insight into their program.

Agreed ..!

Actually, I cannot see them defining reasonable programmatic or technical interfaces with anyone in the ISS program.

PeterAlt · « **Reply #7 on:** 08/12/2011 10:58 pm »

More whispers about China wanting in on ISS...

http://technabob.com/blog/2011/07/27/china-iss-knockoff-tiangong/

Quote

The docking hardware will allow the Chinese station to dock with the ISS, assuming the Chinese are invited to the ISS party.

Rocket Science · « **Reply #8 on:** 08/12/2011 11:02 pm »

In exhange for debt forgiveness....?

PeterAlt · « **Reply #9 on:** 08/14/2011 02:16 pm »

Quote from: Rocket Science on 08/12/2011 11:02 pm

In exhange for debt forgiveness....?

lol... Good one!

Let's say we do end up allowing them to join... This is just a thought experiment exercise... What would the ISS look like with the Chinese space station merged to it and docked to the RS? Where would it go?

I've taken a good look at the planned station and see that its layout is exactly the same as the layout of the planned RS additions (without the current modules). Compare...

Planned Chinese space station:

Planned Russian ISS expansion:

My thoughts are to keep the RS symmetrical. For my idea to work, MRM-2 would need to be removed or find a new home. Where MRM-2 currently is, the Chinese Segment would start. The Chinese would have to give the Russians use of one of their docking ports on their node module (and allow the Russians to modify that port for Russian compatibility) to make up for taking one of their ports. Maybe this is where MRM-2 could be moved to.

Also, why do the following illustrations show Russia keeping Pirs?

Moderators Note: Please do not embed images, attach them instead

mduncan36 · « **Reply #10 on:** 08/14/2011 02:49 pm »

I think the idea of all humanity sharing the exploration and exploitation of space is a great thing. The idea of the Chinese suddenly becoming ISS partners, or even visitors, is a real stretch politically and technically right now. It took decades of gradually increasing cooperation with the Soviets/Russians before we were ready to work with them on that level. Beyond the mere bending of metal there are organizations, understandings, human interfaces, that must be established and this presumes a strong Chinese political will as well to do so. Right now I don't see any of that out there.

manboy · « **Reply #11 on:** 08/14/2011 09:22 pm »

Quote from: PeterAlt on 08/12/2011 10:58 pm

http://technabob.com/blog/2011/07/27/china-iss-knockoff-tiangong/

Quote
The docking hardware will allow the Chinese station to dock with the ISS, assuming the Chinese are invited to the ISS party.

Not according to the the source they list.

Quote from: Space.com

However, in his comments, Yang indicated that technical hurdles remain in pursuing such collaboration. Specifically, he emphasized that China's space station standards and the ISS docking standards do not agree.

The unification of standards is the first problem to solve in the effort to carry out future space station cooperation, Yang said, according to China's Xinhua news agency.