China's Cislunar Space Ambitions Draw Scrutiny

摘要

Some members of the space community are sounding the alarm as China indicates it may seek to establish a commanding position in cis-lunar space, to include the area near the Moon's orbit. Experts say China's ambitious plans raise important questions about the national security implications of cislunar space - the areas beyond geosynchronous orbit. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., warned in February that China intends to occupy the Moon. While the nation claims the base will be used for civilian purposes, Beijing's civil-military fusion policy means that all civil work is intertwined with its military ambitions, he said. "The Chinese have said that they want to have a permanent presence [on the Moon] by 2024," he said during a panel discussion at a Space Foundation event in February.