As far as man exploring the space, the USA and Russia among other Western Countries have been on the frontline. Indeed the International Space Station (ISS), man’s best platform for living and conducting research in space for an extended period is run by the said countries. China too has some level of influence and representation in the ISS affairs.
Well, the country seems is keen on branching out from the ISS and is now said to be at an advanced stage in the plans of setting up its own station in space dubbed the China Space Station (CSS). The CSS is expected to be launched in 2019 but will be up and running by 2022.
China at the United Nations has invited any other country wishing to take up residence at the CSS to submit their application. According to the UN’s press release, any country wishing to conduct research in space can submit their application for consideration to go aboard the CSS.
“CSS belongs not only to China but also to the world,” said Shi Zhongjun, the Chinese ambassador to the UN and other global organization during a ceremony announcing the CSS initiative held in Vienna on Monday.
“All countries, regardless of their size and level of development, can participate in the cooperation on an equal footing.”
China is looking to create a ‘space democracy’ where all nations – regardless of their economic, political, and military might – get a chance to explore the space without any limits being imposed to them.
The initiative comes after a 2016 agreement between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the China’s Manned Space Agency.
In other unpleasant space news, China’s Tiangong-1 or ‘Heavenly Palace’ in English translation lost its orbit and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, which led to it breaking up into pieces. That was caused by the fact that China lost control of the station back in 2016.