The ascent is not simply a scientific achievement, it also illustrates China’s broader control goals in terms of national security, economic development and international publicity

Over the past few decades, China has completely turned around its space program to become one of the biggest players in the global space race. Lured by technology, strategic vision and geopolitical motives, China has consistently ramped up its capacity for space exploration, satellite technology, and human spaceflight. While the ascent is not simply a scientific achievement, it also illustrates China’s broader control goals in terms of national security, economic development and international publicity.

When China began its journey into space in the mid 20th century, it started to develop its own rocket and satellite technology. The successful launch of its first satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1, in 1970 marked China’s entry into the space age. Afterwards, the country has gone on a massive spree to develop indigenous space technology, which normally comes in the hands of state-owned organizations such as the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Though it took until the early 2000s for China to definitively become a significant space power with the launch of crewed Shenzhou missions and the building of the Tiangong space stations, commercially, the competitive threat posed by the nation was a far cry away.

The Shenzhou 5 mission in 2003 made China the third country in history, after the U.S. and Russia, to send humans into space independently

China has made one of the most remarkable achievements in space exploration through the program of crewed space flight. The Shenzhou 5 mission in 2003 made China the third country in history, after the U.S. and Russia, to send humans into space independently. China has since methodically expanded its spaceflight capabilities, delivering various taikonauts into space, as well as conducting crucial tests of the docking and rendezvous technologies that have been made available.

The long-term vision of China is to have a presence in low Earth orbit. This is a commitment, and the completion of the Tiangong space station in 2022 is proof of that. Tiangong is different from the International Space Station (ISS), which is run jointly by several countries, because it is all Chinese made and operated. As an important platform for scientific research, international cooperation and technology experimentation, this station will help China improve its ability in microgravity research, space medicine and materials science.

The successful landing of the Chang’e 3 rover in 2013 marked China’s first soft landing on the Moon. Since then, Chang’e 4 subsequently achieved the first ever landing on the far side of the Moon in 2019, solidifying China’s dominance in lunar exploration

Deep space exploration has been made by China to the Moon and Mars as well. It has long been demonstrating China’s rising sophistication in robotic space exploration as part of its Chang’e lunar program. The successful landing of the Chang’e 3 rover in 2013 marked China’s first soft landing on the Moon. Since then, Chang’e 4 subsequently achieved the first ever landing on the far side of the Moon in 2019, solidifying China’s dominance in lunar exploration.

And China’s ambitions go well beyond the Moon to Mars and beyond. Later in 2021, China’s Tianwen-1 mission was successful in placing an orbiter at Mars and landing the Zhurong rover, becoming the third country after the United States and the Soviet Union to do so. The success of this mission signals China’s ability to complete interplanetary missions and collect important scientific data of the Martian surface and atmosphere.

China’s space progress is not only for peaceful exploration. China’s space technology is dual use; many of the country’s technological achievements are being put to military use. The deployment of reconnaissance satellites, of communication networks, of navigational systems such as BeiDou allows China to gain greater strategic autonomy and decrease China’s dependence on Western technology.

China has maintained development of electronic warfare, cyber warfare and counter space combat capability, making it one of the greatest powers in space capable of defensive and offensive operations

China’s ambitious space development goals are further illustrated by the development of anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities. In 2007, China became the third and most recent nation to perform an ASAT test by destroying one of its defunct satellites with a missile. This test showed not just China’s ability to challenge space assets, it also raised concerns that space is becoming weaponized. After that, China has maintained development of electronic warfare, cyber warfare and counter space combat capability, making it one of the greatest powers in space capable of defensive and offensive operations.

China’s space program has already gone beyond just national security and exploration to commercial and economic benefits. Government policies and funding prop up China’s boisterous private space industry that creates innovative startups and enterprises in areas such as satellite launches, remote sensing and space tourism. Some companies such as iSpace and Galactic Energy are developing reusable rockets to take on Western counterparts including SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Another key role in space in China’s economic strategy is China’s BeiDou navigation system, which is a global competitor to GPS. Operating with a full constellation since 2020, BeiDou will allow China to utilize independent global positioning capabilities without reliance on American GPS technology, as well as increasing the influence of China in the areas of global telecommunications and logistics industries.

China’s space activity has influenced its growing involvement in space cooperation with other countries. Although U.S. restrictions exclude China from the ISS program, China has looked for bilateral and multilateral partnerships with countries like Russia and the European Space Agency (ESA) as well as developing countries. China is using ties on the ground to achieve greater space governance and diplomatic influence, including through satellite and infrastructure offer to partner countries within the ambit of the Belt and Road Space Information Corridor.

China being listed as a strategic competitor in space caused the U.S. to increase its funding of NASA and create the U.S. Space Force

But China’s rise in space is not without problems. There is a growing anxiety about space military competition and militarization, especially vis a vis the US. China being listed as a strategic competitor in space caused the U.S. to increase its funding of NASA and create the U.S. Space Force. Additionally, China and the entire world space community still face key problems such as space debris management, international regulatory frameworks, and sustainability of lunar and deep space exploration.

Still China’s space ambitions are looking ahead. China’s long-term plan for crewed lunar landing by the 2030s, further Mars exploration, and even deep space missions such as asteroids and even Jupiter. More importantly, China is also investing in space based solar power, autonomous spaceflight, and artificial intelligence geared space exploration systems.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.