Issue 4

Analysis of Russian & Chinese Space Cooperation

– China and Russia have initiated several joint space-related ventures: remote sensing & human space exploration.

– Both countries wish to counter perceived growing U.S. military space & ballistic missile defense capabilities.

– Notably, there has been little direct defense-related space cooperation.

– Sharing rocket & microelectronic technology would benefit both nations.

– Constraints stem from an inherent distrust: Russia concerned with Chinese technology theft and potential that increased Russian cooperation would lead to Chinese space capabilities eventually eclipsing Russia’s.

Russia, who is unique in having close ties to both U.S. and Chinese space programs, stands at a crossroads. Russia can seek greater cooperation in space with China and risk losing technology, or risk losing any benefit it could gain from greater cooperation and still watch China pull ahead.