Snubbed By US, China Finds New Space Partners

Space relations between the US and China have been anything but friendly in recent years. The US has prevented Chinese scientists from attending space conferences in the US and also imposed export restrictions on the use of American technology for satellites launched by China. So China has instead turned to developing countries, building relations with those looking to enter the space market. Most recently, China launched a communications satellite for oil-exporter Nigeria – the first time that China has demonstrated its technical abilities in competing for and winning an international satellite contract. Increasingly, developing nations view satellites as status symbols, and China attracts good will with its relatively inexpensive launching services. Getting the cold shoulder from the US has prompted China to become the “space benefactor to the developing world.” – YaleGlobal