Policy making in China’s space program: A history and analysis of the Chang’e lunar orbiter project

China’s space program is one of the most advanced, rapidly improving and opaque in the world. Insight into the program’s policy-making process could help eliminate misunderstandings, make intentions more clear and promote stability in US–China relations. This case study of China’s first lunar orbiting probe traces the project from initial policy proposal through agenda-setting, policy approval and final policy implementation. It reveals a highly rational decision-making process that is ruled by incrementalism, consensus building, scientific judgment and the use of leading small groups to coordinate among ministries. This research was guided by several relevant theories, including the “fragmented authoritarian” framework of power, the theory of the “policy entrepreneur” and the recently developed “inside access model”. The paper is one of the first published accounts in the English language to detail, from policy proposal to policy implementation, China’s first mission to the Moon.     

A space exploration strategy that promotes international and commercial participation

NASA has created a plan to implement the Flexible Path strategy, which utilizes a heavy lift launch vehicle to deliver crew and cargo to orbit. In this plan, NASA would develop much of the transportation architecture (launch vehicle, crew capsule, and in-space propulsion), leaving the other in-space elements open to commercial and international partnerships. This paper presents a space exploration strategy that reverses that philosophy, where commercial and international launch vehicles provide launch services. Utilizing a propellant depot to aggregate propellant on orbit, smaller launch vehicles are capable of delivering all of the mass necessary for space exploration. This strategy has benefits to the architecture in terms of cost, schedule, and reliability.     

SPS — time for a pilot plant

Scientists have expended much energy researching SPS but their theories have never yet been realistically tested. It is time for this to change and SPS 2000 — a Japanese-sponsored project to construct and operate a pilot plant to supply electricity to residents of equatorial zones — could provide the means. The project and its benefits are described and the political—economic imperatives for undertaking it presented. The author argues that there are cogent — and practical — reasons for funding a pilot plant, especially given the vast sums spent on other space activities, and on nuclear power, although the latter has never lived up to expectations.     

Choosing the right stuff

Astronaut selection involves a battery of medical tests both physical and psychological - not all of them pleasant! Patrick Collins, Director of Undergraduate Studies at Imperial College Management School, London, reports on the tests undergone by hopefuls for the UK Juno mission, and in so doing sheds light on a process that all who have voyaged into space have undergone.