Chinese taikonauts

[kerouac2]

I find it incredible how much the Western world has ignored the Chinese space programme.  China has launched 14 taikonauts into space since 2003 and almost nobody outside of China is even aware of this.   On Thursday June 17th, three taikonauts arrived at the Chinese space station where they will spend 3 months.  While Russia is the major partner of this mission, several Western European countries have also provided experiments to be carried out during this mission.

Is NASA and the United States gaining anything by pointedly ignoring the fact that the ISS is not the only space station orbiting our planet?

[kerouac2]

Western media continue to ignore the Chinese space programme. The three taikonauts have left the Chinese space station after 90 days. They are still building the station, which will take 11 missions to complete. The next manned mission will last six months.

Frankly, it looks cleaner and a bit more modern than the 20 year old ISS.

[tod2]

Ever proud Chinese even have their red flag and sickle displayed where the camera cant miss it.