The American and Russian space programs have inspired many of us to get into science. It is remarkable what they have accomplished.  I continue to be one of the biggest fans of SPACE exploration.  Now I see with great interest the development of the Chinese Space Program.  Even though, it is clear China may have some military objectives, the competition will bring the best of everybody.

As USA has indicated they want to go back to the moon, and then to MARS. It is difficult to determine if there is true political and economic commitment.  However, as the Chinese Program accomplishes its objectives, the Americans and Russians will speed up their efforts to keep the leadership.  China has the brain power and economic/political commitment to challenge us. 

Chinese Taikonauts conducted a space walk in 2007.  Their objective is to conduct rendezvous docking in orbit between 2009-2012 which is key for going to the moon. In the long term, China's manned space program is to build a permanent space station and to send a man to the moon.  I really hope we enter into a new Space Race that will speed up the development of innovation as it happened in the previous space race.