China’s Strategy in Space

This book addresses why China is going into space and provides up- to-date information on all aspects of the Chinese Space Program in terms of launch vehicles, launch sites and infrastructure, crew vehicles for space exploration, satellite applications and scientific exploration capabilities.

Beyond mere capabilities, it is important to understand how Chinese aerospace leaders think, how they make decisions, and what their ultimate goal is during their space endeavors. What are Chinese intentions in space? To what extent does culture and ethics influence Chinese strategic decision-making within the highest levels of the aerospace industrial complex? This book examines these questions and offers four potential scenarios on where the Chinese space program is headed based on this new perspective of understanding China’s space goals. This book is not only required reading for policy makers and military leaders in the US government, but also for the general population, students, and professionals interested in truly understanding the reasons behind what the Chinese are doing in space.

Stacey Solomone is an analyst for the Department of Defense and has worked for the US Government since 1995. Stacey also is a regular lecturer at the International Space University during the Space Studies Program every summer. She lectures on Chinese space culture, satellite applications in China and effects on society, and Mars Governance for the Space and Society Department. She has other publications on related topics such as ‘The Culture of China’s Space Program’ in “Journal of Futures Studies,” ‘China’s Space Program: The Great Leap Upward’ in “Journal of Contemporary China,” ‘Tang and Tea Together at Last’ in “Futures Research Quarterly,” and “Smitten by Capitalism” in the Armed Forces Journal. Stacey also has been a Chinese Mandarin-English translator of naval and space-related engineering journals. She holds a Masters degree from The School of Oriental and African Studies and has pursued additional postgraduate studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.