读卖新闻 中国在太空竞赛中超越日本

中国的太空技术已经进展到一个新阶段，并达到高水平。

　　中国用长征3A运载第一颗月球卫星“嫦娥一号”升空。在9月，日本发射了“月亮女神”月球卫星，执行观察月球的任务。“月亮女神”已经进入绕月轨道。主卫星及两个从主卫星分离的子卫星进入探测月亮表面以及其他任务的最后准备阶段。

　　发射“月亮女神”的日本宇宙航空研究开发机构（Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency，JAXA）受到中国当局的邀请，观看“嫦娥一号”的发射。

　　中国共产党代表大会刚刚结束。在海内外宣扬“嫦娥一号”的发射可能是为了展示中国政府和党的威望。中国在2005年发射神六载人宇宙飞船，当时中国官方也广泛宣传。

　　在先前宣布的日期成功地发射月球卫星以及载人飞船，中国的技术令人瞩目。中国已经拥有高水平的太空技术。中国自七十年代以来发射了超过100枚长征火箭，而日本的H2-A火箭只发射了13次。

　　日本政府的太空技术人员和JAXA的高级官员对中国的太空技术往往冷眼以待。一份国内文件在评论“嫦娥一号”的发射时宣称“‘嫦娥一号’的观测目标和‘月亮女神’的非常相似，但‘嫦娥一号’的能力逊于‘月亮女神’。”然而，我们对这部分日本官员的乐观态度有所保留。

　　中国的太空发展猛然加速。以卫星的发射为开端，中国的探月计划包括登月并部署一辆收集月球土壤和石头标本的月球飞行器。中国还打算推动载人太空船技术。此外，它正在推动项目，以发射一颗侦察卫星以及用于自己的全球定位系统（GPS）的另一颗卫星。

　　中国还收到法国的订单，发射商用卫星，显示了项目的商业成功。中国已经表明参与国际太空站站计划的强烈意愿，日本也参加了该计划，美国和俄罗斯在该计划中扮演关键角色。

　　而且，中国在猎星试验中取得成功，代表了其太空计划的军事应用。

　　一些观察家认为在不久的将来，中国将在太空发展领域成为与美俄相当的世界领先的国家之一。

　　相反，日本的太空计划，尽管H2-A火箭的成功，但由于预算的困难缺乏具体的目标——包括将在未来发射何种类型的卫星。

　　由于国际空间站开支膨胀，日本的太空预算剩不了多少钱。一些专家表示关切，称如果什么都不做的话，日本可能在维护H2-A火箭技术上面临困难。

　　日本要怎样推动太空发展呢？除非日本有实在的战略，否则日本将在太空探索领域落后。

China pulling ahead of Japan in space race

The Yomiuri Shimbun

China's space technology has progressed to a new phase and reached a high level.

China launched its first lunar orbiter Chang'e 1 on a Long March 3A rocket.

In September, Japan launched the Kaguya lunar orbiter on a mission to observe the moon. Kaguya has already entered orbit around the moon. The main satellite and two subsatellites, which separated from the main one, are in the final stage of preparation for their observation of the lunar surface and other missions.

Senior officials of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which launched Kaguya, were invited by Chinese authorities to watch the launch of Chang'e 1.

The Chinese Communist Party congress has just ended. Publicizing the launching of Chang'e 1 at home and abroad is likely aimed at displaying the prestige of the Chinese government and the party. When China launched the manned spacecraft Shenzhou-6 in 2005, Chinese officials also widely publicized the launch.

Successfully launching the lunar orbiter and the manned spacecraft on dates that were previously announced served to attract attention to Chinese technology.

China's space technology was already at a high level. China has launched more than 100 Long March rockets since 1970, while Japan's H2-A rocket has been launched only 13 times.

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Rivalry with China

The Japanese government's space technology staff and JAXA senior officials have long displayed a cool attitude toward China's space technology. Concerning the launching of Chang'e 1, an internal document states: "The observational goal of Chang'e 1 is very similar to that of Kaguya, but Chang'e 1 is inferior in capability to Kaguya."

However, we have reservations about such an optimistic attitude on the part of the Japanese officials.

China's space development has drastically accelerated. Starting with the launch of the orbiter, China's lunar exploration program comprises a moon landing and a manned moon mission. China also aims to advance its technologies for manned spacecraft. Further, it is moving forward with projects to launch a reconnaissance satellite and establish its own global positioning system.

In addition, China is launching communication satellites for Venezuela, Brazil and Nigeria--countries rich in energy resources--using its space program as a tool to secure resources for China.

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Successful space program

China also received an order from France to launch a communication satellite, proving the commercial success of its program. China has voiced a strong desire to participate in the International Space Station program in which Japan is involved and the United States and Russia play pivotal roles.

Also, China achieved success in a satellite-killing experiment, displaying the military use of its space program.

Some observers say that in the near future China will become one of the world's leading nations in the field of space development, equivalent to the United States and Russia.

In contrast, Japan's space program, despite its successful development of the H2-A rocket, lacks specific targets--including what type of satellite it will launch in the future--due to budget woes.

With expanding expenses regarding the ISS, there will not be much money to spare in Japan's space budget. Some experts are voicing concern, saying Japan could face difficulties in maintaining technologies unless it launches the H2-A rocket more frequently.

How will Japan progress in space development? Japan will be left behind in the field of space exploration unless it comes up with solid strategies.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 29, 2007)

(Oct. 29, 2007)