Innovation in China’s space industry: overcoming decoupling

ABSTRACT China’s space program is a case study in how China has been able to become a world space power despite US export control restrictions. China’s progress in space technologies can be attributed to several factors, including high-level leadership attention, long-term planning and funding, and technology transfer, both legal and illegal. Although US export control restrictions appear to have slowed People’s Republic of China (PRC) advancements in space technologies, they have not been able to prevent China from achieving its goals. As a result, the US’s primary focus should be on maintaining its lead in space technologies through research and development rather than only attempting to restrict PRC access to US technology and knowhow.