This Astrum video does a good job of explaining things. In short, China’s experimental work on its space station is all targeted at practical steps to help it build a Moon base, and have manned missions to the outer solar system.
In particular, they focus on 5 key areas. 1. Orbital Construction Technology, 2. Space Robotics & Automation, 3. Energy and Propulsion Innovation, 4. Life Support & Sustainability, 5. Generic Technology for Spacecraft.
They’ve already succeeded with key breakthroughs, including a system for producing oxygen that is far superior to the system on the ISS which needs a third of the ISS’s energy to function.
America, partnered with Europe, is still pursuing its SLS/Orbital Gateway plans that look ever more doomed as time goes on. A wildcard are commercial space systems that could rapidly take-off. If not, by doggedly pursuing its plans, at some point China may pull into the lead in the space race.
Manned mission to Jupiter? Big, if true.
Manned mission to Jupiter is wild. 2001 shit, I love it
