China counts down to manned space mission
Reuters
“China will launch its third manned space mission in October with a crew of three, state media said on Thursday of the latest milestone in an ambitious space program.
“One of the astronauts would conduct a space walk, unprecedented for Chinese, and would carry out “relative scientific experiments”, the spokesman was quoted as saying.”
China launches satellite to improve Olympic TV broadcast
CCTV
“China has launched a new communications satellite, Zhongxing-9, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.
“Zhongxing-9 was ordered by China Satcom from the France-based Thales Alenia Space, and will be used for live television broadcasting. It will be put into use before the Beijing Olympic Games and will enable people to watch live broadcasts of Olympic events.”
Government forms Space Cell
The Hindu
“The government on Monday announced the formation of a Space Cell under the Integrated Defence Services Headquarters here to counter “the growing threat to our space assets.”
Justifying the formation of the cell, Defence Minister A. K. Antony said at the United Commanders’ conference that India wanted to utilise space for peaceful purposes and remained committed to non-weaponisation of space. However, “offensive counter space systems like anti-satellite weaponry, new classes of heavy-lift and small boosters and an improved array of military space systems have emerged in our neighbourhood.”
Now, space cell to keep an eye on China’s plans
The Times of India
China experts warn of expanding space arms race
Reuters
“Chinese military experts have warned of an expanding arms race in outer space as Beijing and other rival powers seek to counter U.S. ambitions to dominate the heavens…”
“..in a book issued by the state-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, two People’s Liberation Army experts said Washington’s bid for enduring security domination in outer space was pressing Beijing and other powers into competition, even confrontation.”