"How dare China launch so many satellites without the permission of South Korea?" At the end of August 2025, such an eye-catching question appeared on Quora, an American question and answer website. The questioner showed that he was from South Korea. This issue quickly attracted netizens from all over the world to watch and became a hot topic in international forums.
Why do people in a country think that other countries need their own approval to launch satellites?What are the psychological motives and technical failures behind this misunderstanding?Why does the rapid development of China's space industry raise such a stupid question?
Space Law and Sovereignty, the Essence of International Rules
When South Korean netizens raised this question, the first thing exposed was thatBasic ignorance of international space lawAccording to the Treaty on the External Space, which entered into force in 1967, outer space is not within the scope of sovereignty of any country and is the common wealth of all mankind.
This means that any country has the right to freely explore and use outer space without the approval of other countries. International practice only requires countries to report to relevant UN agencies after launching spacecraft, and inform the orbital parameters of the launched object and other information to avoid collisions in space.
United Nations established a registration system for objects launched into outer spaceAll countries are required to register relevant information about the space objects they launch, such as launch time, orbital parameters, object characteristics, etc., with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in a timely manner.
This mechanism ensures transparency in national space activities, facilitating countries’ understanding of other countries’ space activities and avoiding possible conflicts and dangers.
Every time China launches a spacecraft such as a satellite, it will timely record and notify the United Nations in accordance with the regulations.
Since the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, many countries and organizations such as the United States and the European Space Agency have carried out a large number of space activities, all of which have been carried out independently on the basis of compliance with international law.
Even when South Korea itself successfully launched the first "World" rocket in 2022, it was also in accordance with international rules to carry out records and other procedures, which did not require approval from other countries.Space activities without the consent of other countries are widely accepted standard practices by the international community.。
Complex mentality and technical gap, behind jealousy
The psychological motivation of Korean netizens to raise this question is largely due to the anxiety caused by the technological gap and the damage to national self-esteem. The achievements of China's aerospace industry do not rely on "quick answers" but on "long-term operations". Every step embodies the painstaking efforts and wisdom of generations of astronauts.
China's aerospace industry started in the 1970s. On April 24, 1970, China successfully launched the first artificial earth satellite "Dongfanghong-1", ushering in a new era of China's aerospace industry.
Over the next few decades, China's space industry has adhered to the development path of self-improvement and self-innovation, overcoming key technical problems such as engines, materials and control.
South Korea's aerospace development is relatively late. It was not until 2022 that it successfully launched the "World" rocket for the first time. There is a clear gap with China in terms of technology accumulation and development history.
At present, South Korea's aerospace industry has the problem of low launch frequency, which affects the rapid accumulation and development of its technology to a certain extent.
At the same time,Key components of Korean space are heavily dependent on。Some important engine components of its rockets may need to be purchased from abroad, which not only increases costs, but may also be restricted in terms of technological upgrades and maintenance.
This dependence model makes South Korea Aerospace lacks sufficient ability to respond to fluctuations in the international market and technological blockade.。
The reaction of international public opinion
Netizens 'doubts triggered widespread responses from netizens from various countries in international forums. Russian netizens pointedly pointed out that this mentality is "naked jealousy." They also quoted a China proverb: "Can't eat grapes and say grapes are sour”。
Moreover, Russian netizens ironized South Korea with pearl-gun-like replies:“Didn’t you say that South Korea is a space power, and now you want to take back the glory that belongs to the Korean Empire?”
Indian netizens also participated in the discussion, but showed another strange logic.They claimed that "there is no doubt that China stole India's technology", and literally said that China's space achievements were based on India's research results, which led India to "silence" in the space field for decades.
What makes people laugh and cry is that they also suggested that China should launch rockets so frequently, so it is better to use this money to develop its economy and become a country as powerful as India as soon as possible.
The comments of Japanese netizens are more bitter, directly questioning South Korea's scientific and technological strength:“So what is science and technology in South Korea? three surnames and who’s bad luck with whom?” followed by a list of examples where South Korea has followed other countries several times in history but has suffered failures.
These responses generally consider South Korea’s questioning unreasonable.It reflects the majority of the international community’s recognition of China’s space development and unreasonable criticism of South Korea.
Space development path differences, the comparison between autonomy and dependence
The huge gap in aerospace strength between China and South Korea is rooted in the fact that the two countries have chosen different development paths. The key word of China's aerospace story is "self-reliance". As early as 1970, when the music of Dongfanghong No.1 resounded through space, it laid the tone for independent innovation.
Along the way, from conquering core technologies such as liquid rocket engines, to deep space exploration, and now to the application stage of reusable rocket technology, scientific researchers have always adhered to a development path that does not rely on, does not wait, or is not afraid of external factors.
This kind of persistence has brought about a complete industrial chain and a prosperous industrial ecology. Not only has the national team working steadily, but also private aerospace companies such as Zhongke Aerospace and Blue Arrow Aerospace have sprung up.
Their addition has brought about the diversification of rocket types, effectively reduced costs, and greatly increased launch frequency. The successful first flight of the Long March 6 modification and the Long March 12 carrier rocket fully proves the vigorous vitality of this ecosystem.
And South Korea’s space path is more tied to “international cooperation”.8Their first satellite was launched in 1992, but it was a project that relied heavily on external help.
Their main-powered rocket "World" failed in its first test in 2021, until its second attempt in June 2022 succeeded.
This external dependence has led to their obvious shortcomings in some key technology areas, such as large liquid rocket engines and deep space exploration technology.
Space sovereignty was never a blatant slogan.It is an entity created by launch towers, rocket engines, orbiting satellites, deep space probes and national confidence.
China's aerospace achievements do not rely on "rushing to answer questions" but on "long-term operations". Every step embodies the efforts and wisdom of several generations of astronauts.
When the Long March rocket ignites and takes off again and again, and when the Chinese space station flies across the night sky, these actions themselves are the loudest answers to all questions.
China satellite offshore! spacecraft aims to sign contracts for satellite and ground system procurement of $9.9 billion. — New York Times 2025-08-29 21:33