Maurer, who has a background in materials science engineering, is currently undergoing training in the European Space Centre in Cologne, Germany. (Photo : Getty Images)
Matthias Maurer, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) newest astronaut, is open to cooperation with China in terms of developing spaceflight and its potentials, GBTimes.com reported.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Maurer expressed that a partnership with the Chinese space station may be imminent in the future.
“There are also new opportunities, like the Chinese space station which will be ready by 2022. We are working towards a cooperation with the Chinese, although that still needs to be established,” Maurer told Deutsche Welle from ESA’s operations center in Darmstadt.
“I think it’s an excellent way to show how spaceflight actually brings people and the world together," Maurer added. "It’s also a very good thing in politically uncertain times to have spaceflight cooperation because that unites people and always builds a base.”
As of current times, ESA and China have already teamed up in numerous missions. This includes the upcoming SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) solar science mission, which aims to study the relationship between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere.
Composed of 22 member states, it is said that ESA is also working to secure a place in the Chinese space station, a facility planned to be manned by three to six astronauts permanently.
However, relations are not as smooth as it seems. The International Space Station’s fate is uncertain as it is unknown whether the funding for the project will be extended to 2028.
In addition, China is banned from joining the ISS by the United States due to allegations of espionage and potential technology transfer.
Maurer, who has a background in materials science engineering, is currently undergoing training in the European Space Centre in Cologne, Germany. In order to be part of the mission to the ISS in 2020, Maurer has to prove that he is the best among his peers.
