Who will be first to send a man to Mars?
While the odds on a full-blown US-China “trade war” seemingly rise and fall each day depending on President Donald Trump’s Twitter feed, the trajectory of competition in the heavens between the world’s leading superpowers is easier to predict.
Beijing has stepped up its space programme several notches since Trump last December signed a directive ordering Nasa to send astronauts back to the moon, and once the moon landing has been achieved, a landing on Mars may be the next target.
The jury is still out over whether President Trump intentionally sparked a new space race, but it seems that he has done just that. And, as we know, China likes nothing better than the chance to compete in history-making endeavours.
China is already showing how serious it is about beating Uncle Sam. In May, it launched a relay satellite that will help make its plans for a lunar landing on the dark side of the moon a reality. It is set to send its first rover to Mars in 2020, launch an exploratory mission to Jupiter in 2029, and have a fully-operational research station, including humans, on the red planet by 2050.
All these efforts are supported by several existing programmes, many initiated by President Xi Jinping.
Key milestones up to now include China in 2013 becoming the third country to successfully land a craft on the surface of the moon; the development of the world’s largest single dish radio telescope in Guizhou province, which amplifies its exploration of new stellar frontiers; and sending two astronauts into space for 30 days, China’s longest manned mission, in 2016.
I think it’s safe to say that China will do whatever it can to beat the United States in the renewed space race, especially now that President Trump seems more concerned with earthly matters.
Indeed, Beijing may not rest until the Five-Star Red Flag flies boldly across our solar system.
