Outlook of possible European contributions to future exploration scenarios and architectures

When China Goes to the Moon...

“…71 In addition, the guidelines anticipate that by the same year the number of patents granted to Chinese nationals will be ranked among the top five in the world and China will have developed a number of breakthrough technologies thanks to the implementation of 16 megaprojects in 8 technological fields. 71 In addition, the guidelines anticipate that by the same year the number of patents granted to Chinese nationals will be ranked among the top five in the world and China will have developed a number of breakthrough technologies thanks to the implementation of 16 megaprojects in 8 technological fields.…”

“…In 1995, CAS issued a report entitled "The Necessity and Feasibility of China's Lunar Exploration Programme", which introduced the concept of a lunar orbiter based on the Dong Fang Hong 3 satellite bus, 71 while 2 years later, in April 1997, three members of the CAS submitted to the State Council a new document entitled "Recommendations for the Development of China's Lunar Exploration Programme". 72 As a result of this "policy entrepreneurship" by CAS scientists, in 1998, a group of experts of the now-defunct Commission of Science, Technology, and Industries for National Defense (COSTIND) was appointed to initiate a preliminary study on a lunar exploration programme.…”

“…77 The programme was officially approved on 28 February 2003 under the name Project 211. 71 Besides presenting the concept of a lunar orbiter based on the DFH 3 satellite bus, the report was emphasising the possibility to exploit the Moon as a source of Helium-3. 70 The decision to postpone the project was for the government motivated by the lack of strong scientific motivations.…”

“…As Henry Kissinger aptly points out in a description of the self-propelled international mechanisms that traditionally head towards collision, "when diplomacy no longer functions, relationships become increasingly concentrated on military strategy-first in the forms of arms races, then as a manoeuvring for strategic advantage even at risk of confrontation and, finally, in war itself". 71 Suzuki, Kazuto (2013). Ibid.…”

“…71 The road map offered an outlook on the possible European contribution to future exploration scenarios and architectures and was intended as a starting point for promoting both political commitment and international discussion, in line with the orientations that had emerged at the second ESA-EU Conference on space exploration. 71 The road map offered an outlook on the possible European contribution to future exploration scenarios and architectures and was intended as a starting point for promoting both political commitment and international discussion, in line with the orientations that had emerged at the second ESA-EU Conference on space exploration.…”