Chinese Space Rendezvous

There is good evidence that two Chinese satellites recently maneuvered in space and met, possibly even physically, gently touched. The ability to rendezvous spacecraft is central to any program with ambitions. The most famous example of that is the U. S. Gemini project. The biggest goals of Gemini were learning how to get astronauts out of and back into their ships in space, and developing experience in the rendezvous and docking of spacecraft. Both skills were essential to carrying out the lunar missions of Apollo.

That China has demonstrated the ability to rendezvous two unmanned craft shows the progress being made by the Chinese space program. Being able to rendezvous unmanned craft suggests manned craft could, too-- a skill essential for operating a space station. The capability to bring satellites together, some would point out, is another demonstration of anti-satellite potential. That, however, goes to political motivation, not technical achievement.