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Space News

China's Space Launch Near; Malaysia Wants One, Too 240

Posted by timothy from the or-that's-one-big-aspirin-factory dept.
Enoch Root writes "According to an article on People's Daily Online, a Chinese news service, the first Chinese manned space launch is set to take place in the next few days, between October 15th and October 17th. Space.com has an interesting article on the subject, including a satellite snapshot of the Jiuquan, strongly suggesting the imminent launch." And alphaque writes "Malaysia is calling for interested applicants aged 21 and above to be its first cosmonaut aboard the International Space Station. The ability to speak Russian and prior space exploration experience is a definite plus, they say. Applications can be made online at your nearest astronaut recruitment site. Light sabres optional. Now the floodgates are open. Boldly go where no Malaysian has gone before -- to space, the final frontier." Offer is for Malaysians only, though.
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China's Space Launch Near; Malaysia Wants One, Too More

China's Space Launch Near; Malaysia Wants One, Too

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  • I live in a general state of malaise. Does taht make me Malaysian?

  • Ermmm... (Score:5, Funny)

    by mmonkey ( 709004 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @06:48AM (#7207075)
    ... between October 15th and October 17th

    That would be October 16th, then...
    • No, no, this is the chinese government. The 15th to the 17th means they release the film on the 15th and, when everyone is suitably distracted, actually try it on the 17th.

  • Way to go China! (Score:5, Funny)

    by PakProtector ( 115173 ) <cevkiv@@@gmail...com> on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @06:48AM (#7207080) Journal
    Congratulations and Thank You, China.

    Here in the US our Space Program is hampered by whiny politicans who complain about its cost and by people who don't seem to understand that anytime you make people sit ontop of a several story tall candle and light it under their asses there's a big risk involved.

    But if there's one thing we hate more than spending money and risk, it's being shown up by Godless Communist Heathen Scum like you. So this will spur the Republicans to have a Moon Base in no time!
    • No, it's not being hampered by "whiny politicians". Rather, the space program, not being the driver for the military industry any more has fallen back in the priorities of your government. Why test military technology in space when you can bomb Iraq / Afghanistan / Serbia etc? OT but you bet your ass it's true.
      • You can make a safe bet that if other countries start going into space, the U.S. will suddenly get a renewed interest in it. We can't have someone scoping out space on the moon or building weapons of mass destruction up there...

        Remember, the only reason we went nuts in the 60s to get someone on the news was that the USSR was trying to do it and launched a human into orbit first.

        • I don't want to get too political in slashdot but, basically, no, the US has missed the space challenge unless huge changes can be made. Yes, in the 60s it was a matter of prestige - two superpowers you see. Now, there is only one. What if China even puts a man on the moon? The US put one 40 years ago, they will say. In the meantime, "space age" technology is developed directly for war time without the pretext of the "space race" as it was in the 60s.

          One of your greatest presidents, also, had advanced the

          • Sigh, s/news/moon/ in original post. Anyway...

            Anyway, you obviously don't understand how fickle American politicians are. If a critical mass of rednecks in Florida or South Carolina get upset about something, you can bet politicians will be falling all over themselves to make it happen or pay serious lip service to it.

            Right now, not too many people here care about the space program, hence no real support. What we* care about is avenging 9/11 (or 11/9 for depending on what side of the pond you're on). A

        • You can make a safe bet that if other countries start going into space, the U.S. will suddenly get a renewed interest in it. We can't have someone scoping out space on the moon or building weapons of mass destruction up there...

          Remember, the only reason we went nuts in the 60s to get someone on the news was that the USSR was trying to do it and launched a human into orbit first.

          My concern has been that China has promised a moon base, but no one else has one. What if the Chinese decide they own the moo

    • See this sciscoop [sciscoop.com] article on a new proposal for the future of US human spaceflight - I'm told this was prepared at the request of the White House, so both the administration and Congress are looking seriously at what to do next.
    • I think you are a little confused. The Republicans support the space program--- its the Democrats who whine about the cost. Pay attention.
    • Really, considering the state of the economy and all the crap going on with Iraq/Afganistan I think the US has something better to do than do something on the Moon. They (China and US) need to work on things here on Earth.
      • :rolleyes: /me inserts "fix europe before exploring the new world" reference /me inserts "fix the trees before moving to the plans" reference /me inserts "fix the sea before moving on land" reference

        etc.
      • That's the nasty thing about capitalistic systems. Your own problems are no excuse, only thing that matters is if you have better offer than your competitor.

        Just as an example of what could be, if China (or Russia or India or California) is able to offer orbital microgravity manufacturing facilites to companies in 10 years when nobody else can, there's no question that US companies will be very busy investing a lot of their capital to China, and leaving a lot of the profits to China as well.

        And who has m
        • On the other hand, it's possible that the time of national governments spending huge amounts of money just to complete proof-of-concept space projects is over.

          It's possible that entrepenurial private entities will lead the way in future space-based tech advances.

          It's entirely possible that if there were money in space, private companies would probably be there already.

          Finally, if by some freakish good fortune the Chinese government does find money in space, it's entirely possible that private companies w
  • ... for all /. heroes :) CC.

  • Comment removed (Score:3, Insightful)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @07:08AM (#7207134)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion


    • I see that you may have friends from Malaysia.

      They may be bright and promising individuals.

      But if they are NOT Malays, and/or Moslems, you can count out the possibility for them to be chosen by the RACIST REGIME that is controlling Malaysia as their astronaut.

      Everything in Malaysia is tainted by RACE. That is, if you are a Malay - the so-called PREFERRED RACE, you get all types of priviledges. You can get into universities even if your academic scores stinks. You get lots of discounts when you purchase
  • Competition is good.

    If the Chinese launch succeeds, it should kick some NASA executive bootie.
    • Except that space programs are government run and not really capitalistic in any sense.
      • Yeah, but the thing is, if there's one thing a Republican-run government will be happy to compete with, it's the People's Republic of China. :)
    • The Taiwanese transferred key technologies to mainland China and enabled the Chinese to achieve their first manned space flight. Much of China's aerospace work comes from Taiwan's IDF (indigenous defense fighter).

      The Taiwanese have a history [geocities.com] of transferring sensitive/military technology to mainland China.

      ... from the desk of the reporter [geocities.com]

  • Does anybody have a source for those pictures that *doesn't* require the Viewpoint Player (which isn't supported on Linux)?
  • ""It is not that expensive,'' he said, adding that the plan to send a Malaysian into space was part of a RM3.42bil deal to purchase Sukhoi SU-30 MKN fighter jets from Russia. "

    Basically it's like the tourist trips before (once again only to the Russian part of the station?) - this time bundled with some fighter jets (wtf?).

    Guess the Malaysian part is quite significant (developing country and all)... but do you realize how much troll food has just been provided?


  • Me too, me too!!!

  • Beware.... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by locarecords.com ( 601843 ) <davidNO@SPAMlocarecords.com> on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @07:23AM (#7207185) Homepage Journal
    This is more than about a space launch. This is about China telling the world that it has arrived and that things are going to be different in the International arena.

    They have their own rapidly growing technology sector, including china developed chips [zdnet.co.uk] and Red Flag linux [redflag-linux.com] and they are building their own space agency [yahoo.com]. Investmenting in technology is crucial to challenging the US lead economically, politically and militarily.

    They have little or no foreign debt [uscc.gov] and growing economic power [cato.org]...

    This rather than being the New American Century [newamericancentury.org] is likely to be Chinese! [capitalideasonline.com]

    • Interetsing point, but why a space launch?
    • ---- The Open Source Record Label : : LOCARECORDS.COM

      I cannot visit this Open Source site, because it's only visible using a Closed Source technology. Perhaps you could ask your friends there to consider creating a non-Flash version for the rest of us? Thanks.

      • Yes we know. We are trying to get our web-designers to sort this out... but it takes time... They tell me they are on the case.... it obviously has to be snazzy and excitingly designed before they will let it on the web... ;-)

        in the meantime you can listen at DOWNLOAD LOCA MUSIC [locarecords.com]..

        Cheers



    • Feh. We`ve been hearing this same story about future Chinese domination since 1850, and China always comes up short:
      - China is certainly making great strides in manufacturing, R&D, and IT, but this is only remarkable because they are starting from such a backwards position. Do you honestly think Chinese IT are going to beat Intel, HP, Motorola, IBM at advanced development? No. If anything, those US and EU companies will outsource some manufacturing to China.
      - China, for obvious political braggin

      • We`ve been hearing this same story about future Chinese domination since 1850...

        Earlier than that. Wasn't it Napoleon who called China a "sleeping giant"?

        Do you honestly think Chinese IT are going to beat Intel, HP, Motorola, IBM at advanced development? No. If anything, those US and EU companies will outsource some manufacturing to China.

        I heard Adam Osborne say this -- before he lost his fortune building the Oborne 2 computer -- "those who ride technologies cutting edge are frequently s

  • Flaw? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by SnowWolf2003 ( 692561 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @07:29AM (#7207210)
    The ability to speak Russian and prior space exploration experience is a definite plus, they say

    How can any Malaysians have prior space exploration experience, if no Malaysian has ever gone to space?
    • i heard they also require 10 yrs in java experience and 15 years in oracle.
    • "How can any Malaysians have prior space exploration experience, if no Malaysian has ever gone to space?"

      welcome to the wonderful world of malaysian bureaucrat speak. :)
    • How can any Malaysians have prior space exploration experience, if no Malaysian has ever gone to space?

      Ground support (e.g. for unmanned probes) or even astronomy probably all count as "space exploration", even if they don't actually involve going there.
    • I believe that exposure to 'Star Trek' counts in that area.

      (Extra credits for Dr Who, Reddwarf, Farscape, Babylon 5 and star wars)

    • Consider that most of the world's best and brightest travel to the US to attend school and study such things as astronautical engineering and the like.

      I knew a Malaysian guy at the AF Academy who i'm pretty sure was an astro major. Any sort of Space ops training would be desireable in any Malaysian astronaut candidate, so while the request for "previous space exploration experience" seems a little odd, it actually entails more than just being in space. Mission control, orbital dynamics, etc. are also ess
    • How can any Malaysians have prior space exploration experience

      Maybe these are the same people on dice asking for 8 years of dotnet experience.
  • If China's rocket misfires...

  • All Malaysians can apply to be the first Malaysian in space, and experience in space is a plus?

    That's like Columbus hiring sailors saying "Experience in traveling to America is a plus".

    Yes, I know he was trying to reach India.
  • I want one too!

  • Twin Giant Rockets Boosters... (Score:3, Funny)

    by Yousef ( 66495 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @07:42AM (#7207266)
    I knew there was something suspicious about the Petronis Towers! :-)

  • Aldrin recommends US and China cooperate (Score:3, Informative)

    by apsmith ( 17989 ) * on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @07:44AM (#7207277) Homepage
    Buzz Aldrin has some comments on how we ought to behave in this article [space.com]. Also note a new position paper [nsschapters.org] on human spaceflight from the National Space Society, and Congres is meeting this Thursday morning (session to be webcast!) to discuss The Future of Human Spaceflight [house.gov]. Should be an interesting week...

  • Insert some racist xenophibic comment here (Score:3, Interesting)

    by theolein ( 316044 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @08:06AM (#7207366) Journal
    It never ceases to amaze me how much hate some people reserve for any other nation than America, be it in Europe, Asia or Africa that achieves any goal in science or technology. Wouldn't trying to achieve something with your own lives possibly make you happier? (Hmmm, scratch that, it probably wouldn't)

    I am amazed at the very well paced programme that the Chinese have concentrated on. In some ways it's very simple, in that the technology is known, but in another light that same simple technology allows them to proceed almost flawlessly (compared to the more messy NASA high tech experimentations that have gotten exactly nowhere) and to achive a working human launch capacity that is both affordable and robust.

    I hope this will be a kicck in the butt to both NASA and ESA to actually do something themselves instead of wallowing in self pity and fear. Here's looking to a revival of the Hermes spaceplane and a robust and cheap NASA human launch capacity. Competition is good.
  • The way i see it, the goal of humanity is to continually improve life for our species. Its totally non logical to try to do that yourself. That is, two heads are better than one, or in this case 6 billion or so heads are better than 1 billion or so heads. But im not aiming this at China, I'm also aiming it at rusia and the US, which are basiclly the only countries (that i know of) to have mad a significant impact on space travel. Because if they had thought about it before they made their great triumphs, th

  • space.com (Score:3, Informative)

    by shadowbearer ( 554144 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @08:37AM (#7207555) Homepage Journal
    Mozilla/Konquerer on Linux:

    Trying to view the image link results in a popup window (in addition to the advertising one) containing this:


    Unsupported Configuration

    We're sorry, but you're using either an unsupported browser or operating system. Please review our system requirements.

    You may still download the player, but must install and use it with a supported system configuration.

    Instructions

    1) Download the Viewpoint Media Player Installer for Macintosh or Windows.
    2) When the download is complete quit all running applications and launch the installer.
    3) After installation is complete launch your browser and return to the page that contains Viewpoint content.

    Oh, really? Install your proprietary image viewer to look at *pictures* on your website? "Quit all running applications"? Sounds suspiciously like spyware to me...hmm. Google...first link....Yup.

    permlink [spywareinfo.com]

    Yeah, I know, it says "A CUID is never connected to a user's name, email address, or other personal contact information. "

    I don't care. There is no reason in the Seven Hells that I should have to install a third party viewer to look at pictures from anyone's website. It's not paranoia; why should I have to interrupt my browsing experience, even once, to install more unnecessary clutter on a system?

    Space.com didn't used to be this bad. One more website I won't bother to go to anymore.

    Sigh. /end rant

    (I couldn't see the image at all in Mozilla, where I had popup off; so I tried in Konq and saw the popup; this note just to head off the people trying to tell me about the anti-popup feature in Moz)

    SB

  • CNN.com: China scraps live TV space plan

    All those years ago the dicey first flights of Alan Shepherd, John Glenn, Apollo 8, and STS-1 were broadcast live. In the US our technical successes and failures are there for all to see. What's your excuse China?

  • Offer is for Malaysians only...

    probably just for Malays....that country discriminates heavily against all minorities. If you aren't Malay and muslim you are trash.
    • They call it 'positive discrimination'. Your post is flamebait so some objectivity is needed here. Malaysia is probably the only country where discriminatory practices favouring the ethnic majority (the bumiputeras, which are largely malays) is enshrined in the constitution (plus a whole slew of laws).

      A sampler:

      - Preference in university places (last year, made slightly more merit based, but many uni. entries still through MARA matriculations which are only open to malays)

      - Subscription to bumiputera-onl

      • Malaysia is probably the only country where discriminatory practices favouring the ethnic majority (the bumiputeras, which are largely malays) is enshrined in the constitution (plus a whole slew of laws).

        India has an affirmative action programme up as well, addressing demographics that are officially called "backward", "scheduled" castes and "scheduled tribes", the sum total population of which would actually constitute the majority.

        Not that there's anything patently wrong in affirmative action programm

  • Does playing Elite count?? Otherwise, how the hell are you going to get that one on your resume?

  • its not xenophobia (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Richthofen80 ( 412488 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @09:21AM (#7207849) Homepage
    While I loathe to respond to the nation bashing that weaves this thread, I think that there is a valid reason to speak against China. I think that China's policy towards human rights is horrible. From Tianamen Square to Falun Gong oppression (and no, I don't believe in religion, but I believe you should be able to practice,) China has abused its citizens. And I think history had proved that the communist governments tend to act this way. So when a rocket is built by a nation paid for by the taxes of citizens, who never got to vote for the people who decided the rocket should be built... It is hideous. It is very hard to be celebratory.

    No, the US isn't perfect. But we don't arrest people for their religion, we allow people to vote, we honor personal achievement, science, etc etc etc. When we went to the moon in 1969, there were ticker tape parades, spontaneous celebration... heck , people camped out in Florida to see the launch. In china there might be state sponsored/forced events, but I doubt you'll see anything like what happened in the US

    Do you believe the chinese are as enthusiastic? do you know why?

    I love science, achievement, technology... but what good are all those if we don't have the freedom needed to create and use those things?

    • Re:its not xenophobia (Score:2, Insightful)

      by ghuw ( 660444 )
      Too right the US isn't perfect. China's human rights record may suck, but at least they don't claim it to be otherwise.

      US on the other hand has kidnapped and detained without trial, pressing charges, or providing legal access to a group of Muslim citizens from many countries. They've been there for two years!!

      Yea, you'll allow people to vote.. but only if they haven't been sent to jail (for such harmless things as being caught with a bit of grass).. Then you'll do all you can to screw the system to

    • No, the US isn't perfect. But we don't arrest people for their religion, we allow people to vote, we honor personal achievement, science, etc etc etc. When we went to the moon in 1969, there were ticker tape parades, spontaneous celebration...

      In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for sitting in the wrong seat in a bus. Two years after the Montgomery buses were finally desegregated, the Pioneer 4 flew by the moon.

      In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King marched in Washington DC and gave his famous speech. In the sub

  • Awesome! (Score:2, Interesting)

    by NetNinja ( 469346 )
    The more countries who have the me too attitude the better the chances of the U.S. getting off thier asses and going to mars. If we don't establish a larger presence in space first the other countries will militarize it first.

    it's not to say that the U.S. won't do it.

    reminds me of the political cartoon of Pakistan developing Nuclear weapons and they had thier bomb strapped to the back of a donkey to deliver thier payload.
  • We know China has been refitting [washingtontimes.com] some of their missiles to reach U.S. military bases in Japan. Now that China is about to test technology that can send a payload to reach Washington D.C., how is this in any way a positive thing? Some say that China will not reverse its policy on not using its missiles first. However, the U.S. has broken its policy in not attacking other countries first, so why be surprised when a new arms race is about to begin [armscontrol.org]?

    Science fiction is often a glimpse of the things to come.

    • duh, china already got ICBMs [fas.org] that can reach the states. This doesn't change a thing except to the better. i prefer them to send people into space than spending all the money on their military.

  • HR people are the same in Malaysia too.... (Score:3, Funny)

    by magarity ( 164372 ) on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @09:44AM (#7208079)
    Malaysia is calling for interested applicants ... to be its first cosmonaut ... prior space exploration experience is a definite plus ... Offer is for Malaysians only

    This is like a recent help wanted ad demanding at least six years of experience for a Windows 2000 Data Center admin.

    $#%^ing HR...
  • This is what I thought of immediately after reading the headline. Of course, a space race is certainly preferable to nuclear proliferation.:)

    Who's Next by Tom Lehrer

    First we got the bomb and that was good,
    'Cause we love peace and motherhood.
    Then Russia got the bomb, but that's O.K.,
    'Cause the balance of power's maintained that way!
    Who's next?

    France got the bomb, but don't you grieve,
    'Cause they're on our side (I believe).
    China got the bomb, but have no fears;
    They can't wipe us out for at leas

  • According to Aviation Week and Space Technology, the launch is scheduled for 9 AM, Oct. 15, which is 2 PM EDT, Oct. 14th here in the US. That means that it's slated to go off in just under 2 hours from now.

    Allegedly, there will be live television coverage of the launch. Anyone know how to get a peek?

  • I noticed this interesting observation in today's nytimes article on the upcoming launch:

    The Chinese named their spacecraft Shenzhou or Divine Vessel. Weighing more than 8 tons and almost 30 feet long, it was slightly larger and heavier than the Soyuz. The main difference is the forward unit, which on the Shenzhou has solar panels and can remain in orbit after the piloted module descends back to Earth.

    Why would you want to leave a powered section of your spaceship in space every time you do a launch? Po
  • Why not? Launching is expensive, but boosters capable of this are, after all, half century old technology.

    As for becoming an astronaut, NASA takes applications [nasa.gov]. Fewer people want the job as the years go by. Starting salary for astronauts is grade GS-11, at $42,976 per year, and maxes out at GS-13 and $79,629. Anybody who can qualify can do better elsewhere.

    Given what ISS crew really do, which is assemble and fix stuff, NASA should be hiring people with A&P (airframe and powerplant) training, licen

    • Fewer people want the job as the years go by. Starting salary for astronauts is grade GS-11, at $42,976 per year, and maxes out at GS-13 and $79,629. Anybody who can qualify can do better elsewhere.

      It sure would give you better stories to tell your grandkids though. If your grandfather was an aeronautical engineer, which would you rather hear about? "Well, little Johnny, you see, I managed to reduce the drag coeffecient of the wings by ..." or "... and then the main rockets engaged, and it felt like I g

  • So is it just me or does the picture of the chinese astronaut in this news story [reuters.co.uk] look suspiciously like a lego mini-fig?

    If the news clips of the actual lift-off show a red/black/yellow/blue/white rocket and launch tower with surpisingly blockish looking lettering, I'm selling my shares in China Aerospace International Holdings Ltd.!

    Merlin.

  • Read about it here [cnn.com].

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