Source Analysis: "The Global Impact of the Chinese Space Program"

            In their essay, “The Global Impact of the Chinese Space Program”, Vincent G. Sabathier and G. Ryan Faith argue that China’s aggressive pursuit of a developed space program will allow it to surpass the US and other Western nations within the foreseeable future. They believe that China best understands the benefits of a space program and thus are pursuing it more tenaciously than other nations. Referring to the Chinese government’s past accomplishments, motivations and future plans in this arena, Sabathier and Faith astutely foresee the world’s most populous country using its insight to check the United States’ international influence while strengthening its image while ushering in a new era of cooperation in space.     

            Providing extensive context, the authors show adequate understanding of the state of space development throughout the world. Over half of the article is devoted to giving examples and background information. For example, in the “State of Space” section, they give the parameters of current human space activity and their strategic importance. Earlier, they draw comparisons between space and “the 18^th- century sea-power domain”(1), allowing readers to better comprehend their idea of space as a concrete arena of economic advancement. As international space development is not an often discussed or dealt with subject, these elements are crucial to the delivery of the main idea. Historical information of China, used in the section “China in Space”(1-2) also clarifies to the Western audience what sets the country apart in terms of cultural and governmental views. Backed by this information, the article soundly demonstrates the authors’ view as plausible.

            Sabathier and Faith develop their argument careful to address the nuances of the economic and political situations for countries cultivating space programs. Given the topic, this is especially the case with China. Early on, they point out how China “is increasingly willing to go it alone” (1) in space development but later acknowledge that “it is not impossible to imagine intra-Asian cooperation in space”(3) specifically referring to Sino-Japanese relations. The authors also bring up other economically similar nations and argue that they either are not far enough along in development to compete with China in space. One of their central points: China’s possible surpassing of the west, is built upon their observation that despite the United States’ economic and military status, it no longer has the focus nor the motivation to counter China’s rise.

            All in all, Sabathier and Faith make a compelling case for the likelihood of China at least equaling the US in terms of space capabilities and making way for a more internationally balanced system of space activity. 

Source: Sabathier, Vincent G., and G. Ryan Faith. "The Global Impact of the Chinese 

     Space Program." World Politics Review. Accessed January 16, 2012. Last 
     modified May 17, 2011. http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/8878/ 
     the-global-impact-of-the-chinese-space-program.