Robert Bigelow - hotel magnate and founder of Bigelow Aerospace, manufacturer of inflatable space habitats, is getting nervous. On April, 26, speaking before Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness in Washington DC, he said:
China has created in their quest to develop their own national space program - a program that is not disconnected from its military. The Chinese government has made it known that it wants to offer "free access" to other countries to utilize their national space station in the near future. To that end, the Chinese and ISS partner states have discussed international space cooperation and partnerships. While our allies consider partnering with China, we should be mindful of strategic consequences that an engaged China could have on the future of American enterprise in space.
His main idea was "If we don't get there first, they will".
Image: Bigelow Aerospace
Chinese program of space exploration looks much more consistent than ESA, NASA or Roscosmos. its main goal - Moon. From their first steps is clear, that they want to send there taikonauts. What they are going to do there, is unknown, but they have funds, space station, manned spacecraft, cargo spacecraft, landing technologies and ambitions. In November, 2017, they are going to land on the Moon unmanned spacecraft and bring back samples back to Earth. For the next year they plan to get samples from back side of the Moon.
US and European Agencies have these technologies too, but these "old space" organisations have two restrictions: high costs and total inability to move fast. The last example: the first test flight of Orion deep space vessel is postponed to 2019, and proposal to add crew to this flight was rejected by NASA.
Bigelow Aerospace proposes to establish permantent cislunar station in 2020. This outpost will serve as base for future moon surface station. To lower costs, the same modules will be used: inflatable B-330 with pressurized volume 330 m3 (ISS module Destiny has only 106 m3 volume).
Image: Bigelow Aerospace
Lunar orbital station will consist of two B-330 modules
Image: Bigelow Aerospace
And the nest step - surface base
Image: Bigelow Aerospace
The experimental module Bigelow Beam is docked to ISS for about one year. It is undergoing series ot durability and radiation safety tests.
In any case, if there is a start of a new Moon race, it is a great news, where everybody is a winner.