Agency Outlines Goals Through 2011

Despite being the subject of some jokes... and drawing NASA's ire on joint missions... Russia's "space tourist" program has succeeded in drawing attention to that nation's space endeavours. It has also brought in needed revenue for the program. Those facts are not lost on the fledgling Chinese space program, which may consider a similar program in the near future.

Sun Laiyan, head of the China National Space Agency, told Reuters this week China may one day offer trips into space for 'tourists,' similar to Russia. Future missions being considered by the CNSA include moon exploration flights, and placing satellites in orbit to beam educational programming to citizens in rural areas.

As Aero-News reported, in 2003 China became only the third country -- after Russia and the United States -- to send a man into space atop its own rocket. In 2005, the agency followed that up with a two-man orbital flight.

"The success of our manned space missions, becoming only the third country in the world to put a man into space on our own, is a source of pride for the Chinese nation," Sun said, as he outline the agency's goals over the next five years.

In 2007, China planes to send an unmanned probe to orbit the moon. More earth-orbital flights are also planned, for longer and longer durations... and it's possible one of those flights could have a space 'tourist' along for the ride, as well.

"Once our technology is more mature, more reliable, there is this possibility. Not only male tourists, but female too," Sun (right) said.

The space agency administrator also defended the billions of dollars China has spent on its space program, as the country struggles to clothe and feed millions of people. Sun noted China's space budget for 2007 is a tenth of the 17 billion NASA has budgeted for that timeframe.

"We think that China's space program can solve many economic and social problems that we are now facing," he said. "China considers the development of its space industry as a strategic way to enhance its economic, scientific, technological and national defense strength, as well as a cohesive force for the unity of the Chinese people, in order to rejuvenate China."

Is it just us... or does that sound more inspiring than NASA's reasons for returning to the moon?

FMI: www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615709/cindex.html