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The John Batchelor Show

S8 Ep843: Rick Fisher reveals China's plans to double the size of the Tiangong space station by 2030. He warns of its military dual-use potential, suggesting the station and Shuntan telescope could serve as orbital "battle stations" for surveillance or strikes, pro

The John Batchelor Show

John Batchelor

News, Arts, Books, Society & Culture

4.52.8K Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2026

⏱️ 13 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Rick Fisher reveals China's plans to double the size of the Tiangong space station by 2030. He warns of its military dual-use potential, suggesting the station and Shuntan telescope could serve as orbital "battle stations" for surveillance or strikes, providing China with a significant new strategic deterrent. (11/16)
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Transcript

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0:00.0

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at their gorgeous outdoor furniture ranges, from 70s-inspired retro looks with avocado greens and bold

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1:03.0

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1:12.8

For full terms, visit the QVC website. I'm John Bachelor.

1:33.1

This is Hotel Mars Episode N, my colleague and co-host and co-pilot, David Livingston, Dr. Space, the space show.

1:40.4

And we're looking to low Earth orbit and beyond for weapons, for planning, for the battlefield of

1:47.6

not the future right now. We welcome Rick Fisher, Senior Fellow for the International Assessment

1:53.7

and Strategy Center, is going to take us immediately to the Chinese space program and the space

2:00.7

station in orbit right now, Chiang.

2:04.1

And I read from a document that Rick has provided summarizing where the thinking is on that space station

...

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