China Starts Space Program
United Press International
PEKING —
China, boasting it is capable of putting a man in orbit, today announced a new commercial space program using its own satellites, carrier rockets and ground stations.
But Ministry of Space Industry spokesman Zhang Jiqing said there will be no manned flights “for some time” because of the expense, lack of practical benefits and Peking’s aversion to entering a space race with the superpowers.
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