China recently announced plans to launch 15 rockets and 17 satellites this year. More satellites than rockets clearly means China is trying to move ahead with the capability of launching more than one satellite per rocket. Beijing's top space priority this year, however, will be the launch of its third manned mission. This one will feature a three man crew, as well as the program's first spacewalk.
China, of course, is also hosting the Summer Olympics this year. Hosting the Games is part of a strategy, according to political types, to improve China's image in the world. Pursuing a space program is a way to establish a nation as a leading power. China is already only the third nation to put humans into space, and it has set as a goal landing humans on the Moon, perhaps in the 2020s. A three man crew and the capability to conduct spacewalks would be steps in the right direction.
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