[FPSPACE] Could China be the first to Mars?

[E.P. Grondine]

Hi Jim, all - 

 

An attention gttting headline pandering to the usual manned Mars enthusiasts in the US -that's what sells articles to that select audience, but it appears that the public as a whole could care less, and probably wants the money spent on something more useful.

 

Manned Mars flight plays no role in China's manned space thinking, to my knowledge. I don't think I've ever seen more than one Chinese article promoting it. If you have a list of Chinese manned Mars promoters, I think it would be a short list.

 

As far as lunar architectures go, L2 and Tiangong play no role that I've seen. I would sugest taking a a look at Perimovs's architectrue, using a fuel transfer station in lunar orbit, similar to this:

 

http://www.geocities.com/epgrondine 

 

My guess from 1997.

 

My estimate, CAPS (the Comet and Asteroid Protection System) is China's goal, on an international basis if possible, but alone if necessary - obliquely mentioned in the White Paper you cited.

 

E.P. Grondine

Man and Impact in the Americas

 

 

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