China poised for most ambitious space mission yet

This should be interesting... China with a totally independent space programme... Fascinating.

Glad they avoided that word "taikonaut." Best of luck to them; success in space is success for all mankind.

China’s exclusion from the ISS, largely on objections from the United States

What an embarassment for America's China policy! Not all the asian countries were know towing, China can hit back with a spike! Nationalism is the drive of this action and that spirits is looming!

As NASA has shown over the decades, many technologies developed for space exploration eventually reach household uses, so it benefits all of mankind.

including a mother of one who flies transport plane

and

Liu Yang, a 34-year-old, volleyball-playing air force pilot

Seems a bit odd to be listing the age and hobbies of only the female member...?

Anyways, good luck. Should be interesting.

just-a-bigguy: What an embarassment for America's China policy!

Why not just wish them luck and be happy? No need to constantly be attacking.

Analysts say China’s exclusion from the ISS, largely on objections from the United States, was one of the key spurs for it to pursue an independent program 20 years ago, which reaches a high point with Saturday’s launch.

Twenty years ago, in 1992? Hah! even the Russians weren't even on board the project yet, and China was years away from being able to send people into space, first achieving that eleven years later. China's exclusion at that time probably revolved around China not being able to bring anything to the table.

just-a-bigguy: What an embarassment for America's China policy!

Why not just wish them luck and be happy? No need to constantly be attacking.

Yeah, all he's doing is jinxing them.

When are the Chinese going to put an astronaut on the moon like the United States did 42 years ago?

Best of luck to the crew blasting off. Hope they have a successful journey.

While its good that China is taking this step it would be better if they worked with surrounding Asian nations too. I wonder if any NEW innovations will be brought about by this step.

Propaganda Machine starts..

China will launch three astronauts, including a mother of one...

A mother of one and only one. Naturally.

What an embarassment for America's China policy! Not all the asian countries were know towing, China can hit back with a spike! Nationalism is the drive of this action and that spirits is looming!

??? Why would America be embarassed about this? China's doing their own thing, just like the U.S. did with Skylab 39 years ago. We've got bigger things to be concerned about than China conducting 1970's experiments.

Only space has the answers to our problems. NASA is of course aiding them in the background, so don't think the US is not vested in this. All space programs will aid in human survival.

Looks more Russian than American. Then again the Chinese want to do this "by their ow efforts". Fadamor, I would not put their "space station" on the same level with sky lab. I do agree with you about this. It is right and proper for the Chinese to invest in peaceful space flight. Perhaps it the competition switched to peaceful achievements a real peace can break out. China could look to the stars instead of wasting billions on weapons they can never use without committing suicide. Same holds true for America and Russia.

When are the Chinese going to put an astronaut on the moon like the United States did 42 years ago?

Can't wait to hear China claim the moon on the grounds that it's been Chinese territory for thousands of years. And they'll present tons of ancient literature where the "moon" is mentioned as evidece.

As NASA has shown over the decades, many technologies developed for space exploration eventually reach >household uses, so it benefits all of mankind.

No, space programs by countries that aren't authoritarian dictatorships benefits mankind. The Chinese space program will benefit China. The new technologies developed will reach the Chinese PLA way before it ever reaches the Chinese people much less all of mankind.

'Exclusion' by some ( above example of exclusion by the US ) , not necessarily the Americans, creates the driving force to work harder -- hence not a bad thing by itself.. People are forced to think & invent instead of relying on others. Competition within this positive context promotes better life for the mankind.

Every country in the world should be setting space as their goal Instead of building lots of weapons and fearing each other. Space is the new frontier just imagine where we would be if all nations put money and resources togethet for space exploration. Who knows we could have colonized the moon by now

BradG91,

The space race began and advanced so fast because USSR and US feared each other - who would be the first to control and weaponize space.