A real space race between China and U.S.? From AFP:
China will launch a record number of spacecraft this year, state media reported Tuesday, amid a rise in tensions among world powers over the militarisation of space.
China plans to send up more than 10 missions this year, said Yang Baohua, head of the China Academy of Space Technology, according to the China Daily…
The missions this year will include two Shenzhou VII spaceships — one of which will feature the country’s first spacewalk — two environmental satellites and a communications satellite for Venezuela.
See also New York Times Article: Missile-ready China warns U.S. against plan to destroy spy satellite
