Senior Chinese and European space officials have been discussing potentially wide-ranging cooperation on manned exploration programs, a prospect that threatens to alarm Washington and further complicate the future of the international space station.
Jean-Jacques Dordain, director-general of the European Space Agency, said in an interview that the two sides have talked about the issue of extensive in-orbit cooperation in some detail, without coming to any resolution. His comments, made during an international air show here, were the most detailed yet regarding European efforts to move closer to Beijing regarding manned space projects.
ESA’s latest position raises questions about Europe’s long-term financial and political commitment to the space station, a $100 billion orbiting laboratory dependent on support from Europe, the U.S. and Russia. Japan and Canada also are partners in the station, often called the ISS, which has been in operation for nearly 15 years.
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Andy Pasztor, The Wall Street Journal via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1nf76P5
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