Space Race 2003
This is exactly why we need to take the Chinese space program seriously--not so much because of any Cold War-style "We need to get there first" mentality that the Chinese might beat us to something (which they're likely still a decade or more from doing). Quite the opposite. We need to be vigilant because while space in the 60s was all about nationalism, space in the 21st century is all about internationalism. When China reaches the point that it has more to offer other nations than we do, then other nations are going to work with them instead of us. If China invites other nations to, for example, join them in a lunar colony, it's likely that several would decide they'd rather go play with China's toys than ours. The immediate impact of that is a negative one on our space program, which relies on a certain degree of international cooperation, both in the form of large projects like ISS, and in the form of support for US programs, like international passengers on the Shuttle. But in a much bigger picture, it effects our relationships with other nations, giving them new ties to what is quickly becoming the new "other" superpower.
On a related note, this is also kind of an interesting story.

:: :: 09:24 :: David :: [permalink] ::