China’s space ambitions open up a world of wonder and opportunity
Sun Kwok says the progress in Beijing’s space exploration programme is nothing short of spectacular, and Hong Kong, with its base of highly trained researchers and strong international connections, has a great deal to offer
China is committed to a long-term presence in space. Illustration: Craig Stephens
On a hot August day in 2012, about 2,500 delegates of the International Astronomical Union from around the world gathered in a conference hall in Beijing, eagerly waiting to hear an address by Xi Jinping (習近平), then the vice-president of China. Most of us did not know what to expect; some probably thought that it would be a dull, slogan-laden speech typical of leaders of communist countries. But after he was introduced by the union’s president, Robert Williams, Xi delivered an eloquent speech about the future of astronomical science in China. He laid out ambitious plans for space exploration, sending probes to the moon and Mars, building major ground-based observatories in China, and establishing permanent scientific stations in Antarctica. Although the delegates were used to hearing strong messages for science from presidents, prime ministers, and even kings and queens at IAU general assemblies in other countries, they were surprised by Xi’s detailed knowledge and strong commitments. He was clearly not just reading from a prepared text; his desire for progress was genuine and his enthusiasm real.
After the speech, delegates asked me: “Is this person your incoming leader?” and said “China will have a great future!” European and American scientists, who are used to continued cuts in their research budgets, were surprised to find that investments in science research are increasing exponentially in China.
Space technology is now part of our everyday lives: communication, navigation (GPS), and surveying (Google Earth) are just a few examples. Satellite-based remote sensing is crucial for studies of the Earth’s land, oceans and atmosphere. In-situ measurements from spacecraft probe the near-Earth environments and provide essential warnings of turbulent space weather. Within our solar system, robotic spacecraft explore the moon, the planets and their satellites, asteroids and comets. Looking outward, space-based telescopes survey the larger universe: stars, the Milky Way, and galaxies far away. For these reasons, every developed and developing country is strongly committed to advancing space science and technology.
Watch: China successfully launches Tiangong-2 space lab
On the scientific side, China launched the Dark Matter Particle Explorer in December 2015. The spacecraft’s mission is to study the origin of cosmic rays by observing high-energy electrons; Dr Meng Su, an astronomer at the University of Hong Kong’s Laboratory for Space Research, is a member of the team. The hard X-ray modulation telescope will survey the X-ray background of the galaxy and is expected to be launched by the Long March 2D rocket this year.
Although China started late, it has been a very fast learner
China is committed to a long-term presence in space through the Tiangong programme. Tiangong 1 and 2 were launched in 2011and 2016 respectively; Tiangong 3, a 60-tonne space station scheduled for launch around 2022, will have large laboratory modules to carry out long-term experiments. It is even envisioned to carry a two-metre telescope for astronomical observations.
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To improve our understanding of global warming, China launched the TanSat satellite in December last year to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide from space. The Beidou navigation system is operating a constellation of satellites and will eventually expand to 35 satellites covering the entire world. The Quantum Experiments at Space Scale research project was launched in August last year to test quantum encryption technology in space.
