Asian Space Race Stirs Friction, Pride

Moon shots spark suspicion about military plans in space
By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 25, 2007 10:58 PM CDT
Asian Space Race Stirs Friction, Pride
A young visitor walks past a part of the Chinese space rocket displayed at Science and Technology Exhibition Center in Shanghai, China, in 2007. Asia's space race is sparking debate over "star wars"-style plans while stirring what one expert calls "technonationalism." (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)   (Associated Press)

With China, India and Japan all launching civilian moon missions, the Christian Science Monitor examines the  Asian space race, driven by what one expert calls "techno-nationalism."  They "generate pride domestically and they demonstrate prowess internationally," but they're also inflaming security concerns and suspicions, as all three are wary of missile defense schemes or other military plans by their rivals. 

The moon shots have no military purpose, though they do include probes for an isotope that helps nuclear fusion. The programs boost tech skills among young engineers that will have industrial benefits in all three countries. But because of the underlying military relevance of space missions and suspicions among the neighbors, cooperation will be challenging: "An Asian NASA sounds a bit far-fetched." (More aerospace stories.)

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