China aspires to field a strategic nuclear deterrent of up to 500 warheads, a major increase, according to China expert Richard Fisher in his new book. He estimates that China aims to field 120 missiles with multiple warheads as part of an expansion to its nuclear arsenal.

A panel of experts at the conservative Heritage Foundation expressed alarm that China is building space capabilities that could surpass U.S. technological advances and boost China's diplomatic and economic ties with its allies.

The space race at the beginning of the space age greatly accelerated the development of human spaceflight, raising the question of what would have happened without that competition. Dwayne Day examines the current state of Indian and Chinese human spaceflight planning to see what a more "normal" development might be like -- if there is such a thing.

Hans M. Kristensen criticizes the recent State Department Advisory Board study that advocates increased spending on nuclear, conventional, and space weapons as recommending "policies that would increase and deepen military competition and in essence constitute a small Cold War with China."

Michio Kaku views it as unlikely that China's current drive to land a man on the moon is either an economic or military threat but still argues for a re-examination of the Outer Space Treaty to govern nations on the moon.

The United States needs new weapon systems, including missile defenses and other advanced military capabilities, to deter and counter China's steady buildup of nuclear and conventional arms, according to a draft internal report by a State Department advisory board.

Space is no longer the domain of the US, Russia, or even China. It’s a global affair. Eleven nations launch satellites, and 50 countries are operating their own satellites. The cold-war concept of a “space race” is yielding to deepening international cooperation. China and the US are even talking about working together.

China is scheduled today to launch its most ambitious space mission, including the program's first spacewalk, as this increasingly confident nation stakes a claim on the heavens while impressing people on Earth.

China's demonstrated anti-satellite capability makes it critical for Washington to work with Beijing to avoid an arms race in space, according to a new report from the Council on Foreign Relations.

Chinese satellite navigation officials say they intend to field an operational system covering all of Asia by 2010, but they are giving few details on the deployment plans for their global system. In addition China has yet to complete frequency coordination with the United States, Europe, Russia and others.