Comment Questionalble success - just a short episode (Score 1) 540
If you read both the the official chinese statements and most news items in western media, the impact of the chinese manned space flight boils down to one single objective:
National pride
This also explains, why both Russia and America have cut down their manned space programs - people are not that much interested in being proud of their nation-state, therefore, the taxpayers are not willing to pour money into such costly efforts.
Please remember: The scientific or commercial efficiency of such programs is extremely bad, most of the ressources are wasted for life support and safety. The only motivation for China to send an astronaut into space was to glorify the nation-state and to create a national hero.
This kind of heroism and nationalism is typical for both western and soviet industrial societies in the 1940s to 1960s. Since then, it has started to vanish. Apollo was stopped because public attention declined. China is just repeating the economical and social development that we did in the 1960s. That's why they also start with spaceflight this way.
Their manned space program is an indication that their social and economical development stage is close to ours in the 1960, although they will keep on catching up fast. But while they catch up, they will soon gain insight into the ecomomical aspects of space flight and cut down their manned space program.
Recommended reading: Grumpy old men - the future ain't what it used to be
National pride
This also explains, why both Russia and America have cut down their manned space programs - people are not that much interested in being proud of their nation-state, therefore, the taxpayers are not willing to pour money into such costly efforts.
Please remember: The scientific or commercial efficiency of such programs is extremely bad, most of the ressources are wasted for life support and safety. The only motivation for China to send an astronaut into space was to glorify the nation-state and to create a national hero.
This kind of heroism and nationalism is typical for both western and soviet industrial societies in the 1940s to 1960s. Since then, it has started to vanish. Apollo was stopped because public attention declined. China is just repeating the economical and social development that we did in the 1960s. That's why they also start with spaceflight this way.
Their manned space program is an indication that their social and economical development stage is close to ours in the 1960, although they will keep on catching up fast. But while they catch up, they will soon gain insight into the ecomomical aspects of space flight and cut down their manned space program.
Recommended reading: Grumpy old men - the future ain't what it used to be
