From The Hindu, August 11, 1975: Orbiting China satellite can survey Russia and U.S.
In fact, by orbiting the earth 16 times a day at 69 degrees to the equatorial plane and covering a new belt of the globe on each successive round, it is able to 'see' the whole world, according to a science professor here.
The timing of its launch on July 26 and Peking's cryptic announcement have given some clues to China's latest space venture and drawn observers' attention to its politico-military significance apart from its scientific aspects.
The launch came at a time when China was firing a series of broadsides against the Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous, accusing the two Super Powers of extending their arms race and espionage activities into space.
The People's Daily charged that over half the 890 Soviet and 780 U.S. spacecraft launched since 1957 were military satellites spying on each other's territories, military bases, missile tests and naval manoeuvres.
Faced with the Super Powers' capability to peep into China with their 'spies-in-sky,' Peking marked the orbiting of its third satellite with a mobilisation of troops and militia and, in a departure from statements on two previous satellites, held back on its payload and functions as if they were military secrets.
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The Hindu
20 hours ago
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, August 11, 1975: Orbiting China satellite can survey Russia and U.S.
Hong Kong, Aug. 10: The Red Star over China to-day is Peking's new satellite which, experts believe, can survey not only the Soviet Union but also the United States. In fact, by orbiting the earth 16 times a day at 69 degrees to the equatorial plane and covering a new belt of the globe on each successive round, it is able to 'see' the whole world, according to a science professor here. The timing of its launch on July 26 and Peking's cryptic announcement have given some clues to China's latest space venture and drawn observers' attention to its politico-military significance apart from its scientific aspects. The launch came at a time when China was firing a series of broadsides against the Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous, accusing the two Super Powers of extending their arms race and espionage activities into space. The People's Daily charged that over half the 890 Soviet and 780 U.S. spacecraft launched since 1957 were military satellites spying on each other's territories, military bases, missile tests and naval manoeuvres. Faced with the Super Powers' capability to peep into China with their 'spies-in-sky,' Peking marked the orbiting of its third satellite with a mobilisation of troops and militia and, in a departure from statements on two previous satellites, held back on its payload and functions as if they were military secrets.
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