Value chain · CLM-1245
In plain terms
In 2016 a senior Chinese military official told state media that China planned to use the space between the Earth and the Moon for solar power after its space station was built, but that a full-scale plant, over 10,000 tonnes, was beyond current technology.
The claim as recorded
Xinhua reported that a deputy chief of the armament development department of China's Central Military Commission said on 2016-03-07 that China would exploit earth-moon space for solar power and other resources after building its space station around 2020, that preliminary work on the programme had begun, and that a space solar power plant was not possible with current technology because an industrial-scale plant would weigh over 10,000 tonnes.
Evidence behind this: T5, a state news agency reporting a serving officer's remarks at the annual legislative session; it permits "a CMC official said Y on date Z, as reported" only. The reprint's outlet is not stated.
Scope and limits
A remark at a legislative session, as reported, and held only as a reprint on an unnamed outlet. No date, rating, budget or orbit is given for any plant. "Preliminary work" is not described. The statement is a military official's position, which bears on QST-035, and it is not a programme plan with milestones. The source is image only, so nothing is quoted until OCR.
What it assumes
No assumptions are recorded against this claim.
Where it comes from
text, PDF p.1, paraphrased: the official, described as deputy chief of the armament development department of the Central Military Commission and a national lawmaker, said on Monday (2016-03-07) that China would exploit earth-moon space for solar power after building a space station in 2020; that preliminary work had begun; and that a space plant would be impossible with current technology, as an industrial-scale plant would weigh over 10,000 tonnes, against just over 400 tonnes for the ISS. The article adds that China's military authority is one of several departments working on the national space programme.
Related records
- Answers question
- QST-027 not published in this releaseQST-035 not published in this release
Cite this
energyaperture.com/c/clm-1245
CLM-1245, Energy Aperture, as of 2016-03-07.