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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Russian Space Chief Calls For More Space Cooperation With China

Moscow (XNA) Aug 23, 2005
The Russian Federal Space Agency chief Anatoly Perminov said Friday that Russia hopes to conduct more space cooperation with China, including manned space flight.
At Moscow's seventh International Air Show exhibit, Perminov told Xinhua that Russia and China have made much progress in space cooperation, but it is far from enough.

Russia must conduct some "serious projects" with big nations such as China, he added.

As to China's second manned mission, Shenzhou VI, scheduled forearly October this year, Perminov expressed his hope that it would be successful.

When asked whether Russia would cooperate with China in developing the Kliper shuttle, a reusable spacecraft that is being designed to replace the Soviet-designed single-use Soyuz, he said that if China asks to take part in the project, Russia will consider it.

Earlier Friday, during a meeting with China's first spaceman Yang Liwei, Perminov invited China's first spaceman, Yang Liwei, to make a space flight to the moon aboard the Kliper shuttle, the Itar-Tass news agency reported..

According to Perminov, the first flight of the manned Kliper shuttle is scheduled for 2012.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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Twice the resources...

They just might make it to the Moon.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Russia, China Could Create Spacecraft To Explore Mars, The Moon

Sanya, China (SPX) Nov 01, 2005

Russia and China are considering jointly creating spacecraft to explore Mars and the Moon, a senior official of the Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said Monday, reports RIA Novosti.
Roscosmos deputy head Yury Nosenko said Russia proposed that both countries develop a small satellite to orbit Mars and that the 2008-2009 Mars exploration program proposed launching one or two light satellites into Mars' orbit to transmit data to earth.

The Roscosmos official also said Russia could offer China its help to explore the Moon within the Chinese space program.

"We will participate in exploring the Moon within the Chinese space program until China reaches the stage of a joint project," the official said.

More here: www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-05zzzz.html

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It may look like the joint effort might be the next space superpower.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Russia To Assist China's Lunar Research Program

Beijing, China (SPX) Nov 09, 2005
Russia is ready to help China implement its lunar research program, the head of the Russian Federal Space Agency said Monday, reports RIA Novosti.
Anatoly Perminov said China had undoubtedly become one of the leading space powers since conducting a successful manned mission involving the Shenzhou 6 spacecraft. "I think the next stages of [China's] manned space flight program will presumably involve a crew of astronauts, a space walk, and the construction of a space station," he said.

Perminov said Russia could help China train its astronauts for a space walk and develop lunar research equipment. He explained that Russia did not intend to participate in a joint research program but to simply provide assistance, including support for China's manned lunar exploration, a project envisioned for 2018


More here: www.spacedaily.com/news/lunar-05zzq.html

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Two big powers on their way to the Moon.