Lunar

from Le Monde, Sciences 14.12 2013

Brice Pedroletti (Peking corespondsnt) interviews Philippe Coué,

Shenzhou, les Chinois dans l’espace, L’Esprit du temps, 256p., 2013.

translation: doxa-louise.

THE CHINESE WILL INHABIT THE MOON

Why this interest in the moon by the Chinese, while it has been abandonned for 
decades by the Americans and the Soviets?

Doubtless out of a political determination to inhabit it, where others were merely

passing through. Then, when one has established a permanent infrastructure, one 

can more readily set up experiments proper to the celestial body. In coparison to an 

orbital station, the installation proceeds more quickly. It is logistically easier.

A few weeks ago was inaugurated in Peking the first lunar base simulator, Lunar Palace 1, 

which will reproduce long-term settlements with four astronauts. Chines technical 

comunications have been elaborated for five years now toward inhabited lunar landings

with works on outing suits, lunar jeeps, rockets...Thus, to permit a inhabitation flight, one 

needs a rocket said ‘super-heavy’, such as th CZ9, forst mentionned in 2008 and clearly

in development today.

Why prepare both an orbiting lab and a lunar installation?

With the help of an orbital lab, the Chinese can learn to survive a long time in space

by perfectionning recycling protocols. For the moon, one wants to keep down the amounts 

transported. I think there is as well the notion that the Chinese station will take over from the 

International Space Station in 2020. At that time, their own station will be in operation, might 

be made bigger, receive other modules.

The Chines have declared themselves already open to international cooperation on the 

space issue. One can image that once iscipline to this model, they will reproduce for the

 lunar station. This sets them up on the inside track on a major program. The other possible 

justification for lunar bases is that the Chinese consider that dominance in the 21th century 

will go to that economy managing an extra-terrestial body. Recent editorials have made the 

case that ‘China could legitimately pursue the work of pioneer nations’, as the inheritor of the 

two superpowers of the past century.

What can China hope to gain from such a program?

When one manages very complex operations such as sending men into space or a vehiule 

capable of landing, one is making show of a high degree of organization. This proves the 

mastery of a set of advanced technologies, and projects the image of a very modern country.

This type of program also serves the objective of national cohesion. it is a way of showing 

within the country that China has attained a high level, that the party has held its promises. 

It also serves to chanel energies around technological progress. Demonstrating such prowess

 also helps bind the best Chinese students, otherwise tempted to flee, and even attract others. 

In any event, the arrival of Chang’e 3 on the moon marks the beginning of operations leading to 

China decidedly occupying our celestial neighbor.