China is planning to launch its first manned space capsule and, if the rumours circulating the Committee here in Vienna are true, it may be the most sensational advertising event in the history of space travel.

In a recent interview with state newspaper the Peoples Liberation Army Daily, China's Space Program director Su Shuangning revealed that plans for China's first manned space flight are at an advanced stage. It has been testing its latest capsule, the Shenzhou No. 3 or SZ-3 and the launch will probably take place at Jiuquan at the southernmost edge of the Gobi Desert in Kansu.

It is no surprise that China intends to be the third country after the USA and Russia to launch a manned spacecraft but what concerns the Committee here in Vienna is the level of advertising that may accompany the crew.

The issue of advertising from space has been a controversial issue since the early 90's when there were plans to send billboards made from Mylar into space. The boards, each a mile long, would have been visible from earth and logos would have appeared to be about the same size as the moon.

Following widespread public protests Congress put an end to US based projects of that sort by passing legislation prohibiting the Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration, from issuing or transferring a licence for the commercial launch of a payload containing any material to be used for the purposes of obtrusive space advertising. The United States law defines obtrusive space advertising as advertising in outer space capable of being recognized by a human being on the surface of the Earth without the aid of a telescope or other technological device. There is no prohibition on advertising on the side of rockets as logos would not visible with the naked eye to a terrestrial observer once the craft is in orbit. Nor are commercial advertisements broadcast live from the craft prohibited.

The Russian space program has already launched a rocket bearing a 30-foot Pizza Hut logo. The crew also held a 'pizza party in space' on which was seen by around 500 million viewers world wide. Nutritional scientists spent months testing the dough and other ingredients before the trip to test how they would fare in outer space. Pepperoni did not make the flight. Russian aerospace and nutritionists found that it decayed rapidly when in non terrestrial conditions and substituted salami !

The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee at its thirty-ninth session, held in Vienna in the spring of this year noted with approval the American legislation and urged other countries to adopt legislation that would limit space advertising to non obtrusive forms (A/AC.105/786 ) No other country has yet done so.

The fear here is that President Jiang Zemin may be tempted to secure as much advertising as possible to defray the expenses of the launch and to beat the US as its own game - capitalism. Given the inevitable high level of international interest in the first launch of a Chinese spacecraft advertisers would be prepared to pay a premium for their logo to be on the capsule.

I discussed China's advertising plans with Wang Kehui, science correspondent of Beijing's leading financial newspaper, The Long March Daily.

First I asked whether there were any plans to carry 'billboards' into space. Wang was adamant. There were no such plans. What then of the rumour, emanating from Jiuquan itself that a leading condom manufacturer had been involved in the design of the capsule ? Wang's response was emphatic:

" There are many rumours here in Vienna. Most of them are initiated by the United States who are seeking to undermine our project. Any advertising will be compatible with the United Nations recommendations and the interests of the Chinese people".

But as far as designer space suits were concerned he was less clear cut:

"With space tourism only 10 or so years away we think it is important to demonstrate that space travel can be undertaken wearing well designed fashionable clothes. There is no reason why our scientists working with top designers cannot incorporate modern styles into space suits whilst preserving their functionality. But I would like to make it clear that we have had no discussions with Armani and if we are to introduce design I think we would turn ot one of our own top fashion houses."

Most interestingly Wang would not deny the possibility of a re run of 'the pizza party in space' but he was keen to stress that Pizza Hut were not involved. In addition he seemed very confident that Chinese scientists had devised a method of ensuring that pepperoni would survive the flight. He would not be drawn on the scientific break through that not only defeated Russian scientists but has mystified many others. If I find out the secret I will let you know. Watch this space. No pun intended.

~By the way if you do enjoy pepperoni pizza you can enjoy it here on Earth - this is my favourite recipe.

Clive Campbell Smith

Criminal Law Online For up to date recorded lectures, presentations and interactive online quizzes click here

Filed with AQC syn press: NY 147453/2002/65 June 12th 2002

Further articles by Clive Campbell Smith:

Torture in English Law

Criminal responsibility and cultural psychosis ....ppdf version

Were the Apollo moon landings a hoax ?

Jurisprudence: The Concept of Law and the unconscious ,,,,, ppdf version

Voting in the European Union - mathematical analysis suggests that proposed system is flawed