How far is the US ahead of China in the space race?

In some key areas, the US is far ahead not only of China, but of all other space-faring nations combined.

China and the US both aim to put people on the Moon. Photo: Euronews

American superiority

In terms of budget, the US space budget in 2021 is about $59.8 billion. China has invested heavily in space and rocket technology in the past decade and has doubled its spending in the past five years. However, its estimated budget for space in 2021 is still only $16.18 billion, less than a third of the US budget, according to Svetla Ben-Itzhak, associate professor of Space and International Relations at Air University (AU) in the US.

The US also far surpasses China in the number of active satellites. As of April 2023, a total of 5,465 satellites are in orbit around the Earth. The US operates 3,433 satellites, accounting for about 63% and ranking first in the world . Meanwhile, China only has 541 satellites.

The United States has more spaceports than China. With seven active launch sites at home and abroad and at least 13 in development, the United States has more options for launching cargo into different orbits. China has only four active spaceports and two more in development, all within its borders.

SpaceX rockets carry hundreds of private satellites into orbit each year from seven active US spaceports. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket

One big difference between the US and China is the amount of international collaboration. Over the decades, NASA has developed commercial and international partnerships in a wide range of areas, from space technology development to human spaceflight. The US government has signed 169 space data-sharing agreements with 33 states and intergovernmental organizations, 129 with commercial partners, and seven with academic institutions.

China also has supportive partners in space, most notably Russia and members of the Asia- Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, including Iran, Pakistan, Thailand, and Turkey. But overall, China’s partners are fewer in number and have less space capabilities, according to Ben-Itzhak.

The Moon race highlights the differences between the US and China in terms of international cooperation. Both countries have plans to land humans on the surface of the Moon and build bases there in the near future.

In 2019, Russia and China agreed to cooperate on a mission to the Moon by 2028. Russia contributed the Luna lander and Oryol spacecraft, while China improved the Chang’e spacecraft. The two countries’ International Lunar Research Station is open to all interested parties and international partners. But so far, no other countries have joined.

Meanwhile, since 2020, 24 countries have joined the US-led Artemis Accords. This international agreement sets out common principles of cooperation for future space activities. The goal of the Artemis Program is to return humans to the Moon by 2025, then build a lunar space station and base on the Moon. In addition, the Artemis Program has signed contracts with many private companies to develop a range of technologies, from lunar landing stations to off-Earth construction methods.

Chinese astronaut Fei Junlong conducts space activities on the Tiangong space station on February 9, 2023. Photo: Liu Fang/Xinhua/AP

China's impressive achievements

Although the US has a clear advantage in many areas of space, China still has remarkable numbers.

In 2021, China conducted 55 orbital launches, four more than the United States. But while the total number of launches was roughly equal, the payloads carried into orbit varied widely. 84% of China’s launches included government or military payloads, likely primarily for electronic intelligence and optical imaging. Meanwhile, 61% of U.S. launches were for non-military, academic, or commercial purposes, primarily for Earth observation or telecommunications.

The space station is another Chinese achievement. The first module of the Tiangong space station was launched in 2021. The T-shaped structure of the station with three main modules was completed by the end of 2022. China built and launched all the modules of the Tiangong station. The country is currently the sole operator of the station, but has shown a willingness to cooperate with other countries.

Since the 1990s, the US has cooperated with 14 countries, including Russia, to operate the International Space Station (ISS). Composed of 16 modules, the ISS is much larger than the Tiangong station. This space station has also achieved many breakthroughs in science and technology after several decades of operation. However, the ISS is now quite "old" and participating countries are planning for the station to "retire" around 2030.

China continues to develop its space capabilities. According to an August 2022 report, the Pentagon said China could surpass the US as early as 2045 if the US does not act. However, the US is unlikely to continue to stagnate because it is still investing more in space.

Thu Thao (According to Space )

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