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How To Achieve a Breakthrough in ASEAN’s Space Opportunities
The Asian space scene is, first and foremost, a competition between three established space powers: India, China, and Japan, with a South Korean challenger. These nations, armed with ambitious space programs, have propelled Asia to the forefront of the global space scene. Yet, amidst this network of collaboration and competition, ASEAN’s space opportunities are progressing…
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3 Unique Ways China Sells Satellites to Developing Countries
One of the leading scientists developing China’s first satellite, the Dongfanghong-1 (东方红一号), compared indigenous satellite development to preparing a steamed bread, necessitating many steps from reclaiming wasteland and planting seeds to harvesting and grinding wheat, before eventually baking the delicacy. This analogy illustrating the significant material costs and scientific expertise required to indigenously develop a…
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Space Programs Of ASEAN: A Promising Rise – Part 2
Part 2 of this article pair on the space programs of ASEAN focuses on Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. To read about space initiatives in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Malaysia, head to Part 1. Myanmar In contrast to some ASEAN powers and despite a considerable size, Myanmar has, until recently, not engaged…
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Space Programs of ASEAN: A Promising Rise – Part 1
Located at the heart of one of the world’s most geopolitically significant regions, the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have constructed a unique political and economic union, featuring an unusual tapestry of monarchies, republics, and single party states. Placing their differences aside to focus on shared economic development objectives, the…
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Tongasat: The Thrilling Tale of Tonga’s Really Daring Space Idea
This story could have been fiction – the story of how a tiny island nation attempted to build a space Empire, starting as a David and Goliath tale involving the U.S., China, a mad scientist, a princess, and more recently a Supreme Court. The story of Tongasat is however true and rings as an eerily…