Dragon in Orbit: China’s Pragmatic Approach to Space Strategy

This title is printed to order. This book may have been self-published. If so, we cannot guarantee the quality of the content. In the main most books will have gone through the editing process however some may not. We therefore suggest that you be aware of this before ordering this book. If in doubt check either the author or publisher’s details as we are unable to accept any returns unless they are faulty. Please contact us if you have any questions.

On January 11, 2007 a rocket streaked from China into the sky. This rocket intercepted a non-functional Chinese weather satellite successfully demonstrating the ability of the Chinese to kinetically destroy low earth orbiting satellites from the ground. While this launch was a success, it resulted in condemnations from countries around the world. The US and many other countries are critically dependant on space systems for military and economic purposes. The lack of transparency in its space program has made it difficult to determine what China’s space strategy is. This paper tries to pull back the curtain to reveal its true goals and objectives. To understand China’s space strategy, it is necessary to first look at its beginning and how its successes and failures shaped the program. Next a brief review of Chinese national strategy shows how the space program is used to address critical national goals.