Chinese "expected" to travel in space in 20 years, says official

SHANGHAI, Nov. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese people "are expected to realize their dream of space travel in 20 years," said a senior official with China's space industry at a symposium Tuesday.

Yuan Jiajun, chief commander of China's space program and president of the China Academy of Space Technology, said China will "establish a sound mechanism to commercialize its space technology," which may spur China's manned space flights.

He stressed that two fundamental problems should be addressed to bring "a booming space tourism": lowering the cost and ensuring safety.

Currently China's research in the space industry mainly serves its national economy and national defense, said Yuan, expressing his belief that in the near future, space technology will be extensively used for civil service and bring more benefits to common people.



moew

china wants its people to go into space.. Spaceshipone was an inspiration for the chinese people so they are going to start up a commercial space industry.