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I'm not sure that using a single data point is a valid way to determine who is "ahead".

ethbr0 5y ago
I think it's undeniable to say "the Chinese space program is progressing at a faster rate than NASA." But, it's also starting from farther behind. But, it's also starting with more modern technology. But, it's also working under a command economy. And that's not including US private space companies. Read: SpaceX.
- JaimeThompson 5y ago
  If we limit it to just Earth science NASA appears to be ahead. https://essp.nasa.gov/earth-pathfinder-quests/projects/active-missions/ https://essp.nasa.gov/earth-pathfinder-quests/projects/activ... If we include space telescopes, missions on and around other planets, space weather monitoring, solar exploration, and such NASA appears to be ahead. Saying "progressing at a fast rate than NASA" is just word games since they start from such a lower level and doesn't reflect the reality on the ground. EDIT: I provided the above as supporting evidence not to start an argument.
  - pphysch 5y ago
    GPS vs. BeiDou Arecibo vs. FAST China recently deployed their own Space Station and Mars Rover, etc... Political and ideological biases aside, it's pretty obvious which space program has more vitality in the current decade. Both sides certainly have novel tech, but what about the bigger trends?
    - JaimeThompson 5y ago
      > GPS vs. BeiDou How is BeiDou evidence for what you claim? > Arecibo vs. FAST Lots of other scopes that have capabilities that neither A or F have. > China recently deployed their own Space Station and Mars Rover, etc... These aren't examples of them being ahead. They may, however, may be examples of them reaching parity.
      - pphysch 5y ago
        BeiDou is more precise than US govt's GPS
        JaimeThompson 5y ago
        Can be more precise, it isn't more accurate in all use cases. Also the GPS Block III birds have enhancements to improve accuracy and related metrics.
    - Ekaros 5y ago
      Actually it is sad that they get so little attention in the west. Space exploration from anyone is really interesting stuff, and we should be rather agnostic with whom we follow.

I think it's undeniable to say "the Chinese space program is progressing at a faster rate than NASA." But, it's also starting from farther behind. But, it's also starting with more modern technology. But, it's also working under a command economy. And that's not including US private space companies. Read: SpaceX.

JaimeThompson 5y ago
If we limit it to just Earth science NASA appears to be ahead. https://essp.nasa.gov/earth-pathfinder-quests/projects/active-missions/ https://essp.nasa.gov/earth-pathfinder-quests/projects/activ... If we include space telescopes, missions on and around other planets, space weather monitoring, solar exploration, and such NASA appears to be ahead. Saying "progressing at a fast rate than NASA" is just word games since they start from such a lower level and doesn't reflect the reality on the ground. EDIT: I provided the above as supporting evidence not to start an argument.
- pphysch 5y ago
  GPS vs. BeiDou Arecibo vs. FAST China recently deployed their own Space Station and Mars Rover, etc... Political and ideological biases aside, it's pretty obvious which space program has more vitality in the current decade. Both sides certainly have novel tech, but what about the bigger trends?
  - JaimeThompson 5y ago
    > GPS vs. BeiDou How is BeiDou evidence for what you claim? > Arecibo vs. FAST Lots of other scopes that have capabilities that neither A or F have. > China recently deployed their own Space Station and Mars Rover, etc... These aren't examples of them being ahead. They may, however, may be examples of them reaching parity.
    - pphysch 5y ago
      BeiDou is more precise than US govt's GPS
      - JaimeThompson 5y ago
        Can be more precise, it isn't more accurate in all use cases. Also the GPS Block III birds have enhancements to improve accuracy and related metrics.
  - Ekaros 5y ago
    Actually it is sad that they get so little attention in the west. Space exploration from anyone is really interesting stuff, and we should be rather agnostic with whom we follow.