Subscribe to this blog

The Tech Dynasty

Navigating the bamboo scaffolding of China's rapid-rising tower of technology

 

May 14, 2009 09:06

Chinese space program--boldly going where others have gone before

Posted by RyanM
I understand that the Chinese space program is a stepping stone of pride and development for the country, and I really don't mean to trounce it. However, is it too much to expect that a space program would at least be above the IP-infringing rife on the ground?

I mean, the space program isn't exactly "novel" in any sense of the word. Its biggest ambition is to put a man on the moon only 50 years after some other nation did it, before most people even knew what a computer was. So, perhaps it shouldn't surprise me that the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA. Maybe it sounds as cool as NASA in Chinese?) has, it appears, blatantly ripped off not one, but two Star Trek emblems in the creation of their logo:



Now, obviously the more astute readers here are going to point out that the United Federation of Planets logo is simply a space-themed version of the UN's emblem, and perhaps CNSA is simply melding the UN's peaceful unity ethos with a rather pointed "going up" aspect... wrapped in an onion (signifying the many layers to space exploration?). Or maybe it just paid someone 10 yuan for the logo and said "make it look spacey".

(h/t to fellow CNET blogger Rick)

2 comments   |   Share


 


    Talkback
scotth says...
Feel free next time to research the Chinese writing system, the meanings of symbols and the origin of the Chinese space program...

 
 
RyanM says...
I'm guessing you're referring to things discussed here: ren-guilian.blogspot.com...

The link above essentially states that the "going up" arrow is a morphing of 人 (ren) which means people -- ie. the space program puts people at the center. It is then surrounded by three rings, which "stand for three Escape Velocities (minimum speed needed to move around earth, to escape earth system and to escape the solar system, which are three milestones for human's space exploration)".

The commentator then went on to say that the logo likely existed before Star Trek, but gives no proof at all. The argument isn't whether China had a space program before Star Trek aired in the 60s. Obviously they did. But did they use this logo, or was it adapted at the founding of the CNSA in the '90s.

Feel free next time to substantiate your claims more than mine if you wish to add to the discussion.

 
 
To post comments, you need to become a member. It's FREE.



 
advertisement
 

RyanM's Contacts

 
spangaroo's avatar
spangaroo
Level:
Taiwan
 
 
 

See all contacts »

 

Members With Similar Interests

 
clarejoan's avatar
clarejoan
Level:
 
 
 
 
cvravishankar's avatar
cvravishankar
Level:
 
 
 
 
zaki572's avatar
zaki572
Level:
 
 
 
 
matthewtan28's avatar
matthewtan28
Level:
 
 
 
 
Nantharuban's avatar
Nantharuban
Level: