This class will explore the history of China's interest in and development of space technology from the Mao era through today. China became the third country ever to launch a human into space in 2003 and has been expanding its space program ever since. Beijing has poured billions into its military-run space program, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022 and eventually sending humans to the Moon. Tracing the development of China's space industry chronologically, this class will consider the long-term policy and industry implications of the growing U.S. - China Space rivalry. Course texts will draw on primary source documents, policy analysis, business case analyses, and contemporary Chinese science fiction to understand the current context for this rivalry and make policy recommendations for the future. Recommended prerequisites: ASIA 2000 and/or ASEN 1969.
