Space “is a metric of national power,” said Stokes, whose organization focuses on policies promoting security in Asia, according to its website. “If this would make China feel better about itself, if it gives it more confidence, gives it more security, gives it more pride, it’s better than some other ways of doing that.”

　　The U.S. government aims to encourage responsible behavior in space, Gregory Schulte, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy, told lawmakers in May. “Space is ‘‘increasingly congested, contested and competitive,’’ he said, according to a transcript of the hearing. ‘‘A more cooperative, predictable environment enhances our national security and discourages destabling behavior.’’

　　对所有人有益

　　中国政府的意图完全用于和平目的。今天北京外交部发言人洪磊告诉记者，中国的目的是“为了全人类的利益促进和平利用太空空间。”他说。

　　马克？斯托克斯，弗吉尼亚州阿灵顿的2049项目研究所执行董事在电话中说道，越能提高中国的太空计划的平民组成越好，美国应想方设法在不提供军事方面帮助情况下合作，并能够解析两者，他说。

　　空间“是一个国家实力的度量”斯托克斯说，根据网站介绍其组织侧重于促进亚洲地区的安全政策。“如果这能使中国自我感觉更好，如果能赋予它更多自信、安全感、骄傲感，那就比其他任何方式都更好。”

　　美国政府旨在鼓励在空间中负责任的行为，空间政策国防部长副助理舒尔特（Gregory Schulte）5月告诉立法者。“空间”越来越拥挤，有争议的、竞争越激烈，他说，根据听证会的记录。“一个合作更密切、可预见的环境增强了我们的国家安全，和阻止去稳行为。”

　　Space Shower

　　China in 2007 blew up one of its own satellites in a test of its ability to disrupt global communications networks. The explosion spread thousands of pieces of debris in what the European Space Agency described as ‘‘by far the worst break-up event in space history.’’ The impact of a 10-centimeter fragment of debris on a spacecraft or station ‘‘will most likely entail a catastrophic disintegration of the target,’’ according to the agency’s website.

　　The U.S. Navy in 2008 used a Raytheon Co. SM-3 missile to destroy a malfunctioning spy satellite that was headed for earth loaded with toxic chemicals. The strike was timed to ensure debris burned up on re-entry.

　　The challenge for the U.S. isn’t just getting China to agree to rules. Dozens of countries claim space programs, though some -- like North Korea and Iran -- use that as a cover for missile development, Lewis said.

　　‘‘Governments need to begin discussing space security more directly,” James Clay Moltz, who teaches at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and is author of the forthcoming book “Asia’s Space Race,” wrote in an e-mailed response to questions. “A shooting war in space is in no one’s interest. We need to start talking about conflict prevention, keep-out zones, and stronger norms against destructive activities.”

　　空间阵雨

　　2007年中国将一颗自有卫星爆炸以测试其破坏全球通信网络的能力。无数的爆炸碎片散落，欧洲航天局将其描述为“迄今太空历史上最糟糕的爆炸事件”。长约10厘米的碎片对飞船或空间站的影响”最有可能造成灾难性目标解体”，根据该机构的网站上报道。