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The first launch from the far side of the Moon showed China's advances in space, indicating that the rivalry with Elon Musk's SpaceX is just beginning. By supporting its private sector, China promises to further heat up the aerospace race.
This week, the China made history by launching a mission from the far side of the Moon, signaling its impressive advances in the aerospace sector. With this feat, China demonstrates its ambition to rival giants such as SpaceX, Founded by Elon Musk, whose ship Starship is destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, according to uol.
While Chinese companies still lag behind American companies, especially SpaceX, the gap is closing. This is due to the Chinese government's growing support for the private sector, which has been strengthening the country's aerospace capabilities. According to experts, in five years, SpaceX could feel the pressure.
The parallel with electric cars
The logic of electric cars can be replicated in the space sector. In the electric vehicle market, the Chinese BYD surpassed Tesla, also by Musk, in the last quarter of 2023. Similarly, the Chinese private space sector is growing rapidly. Since opening to private capital in 2014, hundreds of companies have emerged. On Thursday, the pitcher “Ceres-1” from Galactic Energy has placed three satellites into orbit, and Beijing has dozens of launches scheduled for this year.
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Expert Blaine Curcio points out that the Chinese private space sector is impressive in size, highlighting that, although SpaceX still leads, Chinese companies are advanced in relation to the intermediate positions in the sector in the USA.
Manned missions and conquest of the moon
Chinese state space programs have already carried out manned flights, built a space station and sent rovers to the Moon and Mars. The goal is to send manned missions to these celestial bodies around 2030 and 2033, respectively. The catheter Chang'e-6, for example, is returning to Earth with samples from the far side of the Moon, a milestone in space exploration.
Meanwhile, the Chinese private sector specializes in launching low-cost satellites and space vehicles. Its launch capabilities will be essential to fulfilling government objectives of establishing satellite megaconstellations, such as networks Guowang e G60, which together will total 25 thousand satellites.
The future of aerospace competition: China vs. Spacex
The Chinese private sector's next big goal is to design a rocket similar to the F from SpaceX and master the technique of reusing launch modules. Chen Lan, an expert on the Chinese space program, believes that several companies will achieve these goals by 2024.
Furthermore, the Chinese private sector must carry out 30 of 100 launches planned by Beijing this year. For comparison, SpaceX carried out 98 of the 109 American launches in 2023. However, Chen predicts that the situation could be completely different in five years, with China consolidating its position in the aerospace scene.
A new era of the space race
The space race between China and the United States is intensifying, with both countries rapidly advancing their aerospace programs. The Chinese government's support for the private sector is producing impressive results, and competition with SpaceX promises to bring significant innovation and advancement. As we look to the future, the rivalry between these aerospace giants will continue to shape space exploration and the development of new technologies.
