In pictures: China space launch
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As China prepared to launch its second manned space mission on Wednesday, there was a sense of growing anticipation. -
Millions of people gathered around their televisions or special giant screens to watch a live broadcast of the spacecraft's launch. -
The two astronauts, chosen after a rigorous selection process, waved to the cameras before they walked to the launch tower. -
The Shenzhou VI mission launched on a Long March II F rocket at 0900 (0100GMT) from Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert, almost two years after China's first manned mission in Shenzhou V. -
It will be in orbit for five days, giving the astronauts time to carry out a series of experiments before landing in a remote region of Inner Mongolia. (AP/AFP images) -
i hope this time when they return the chinese wont rush to the scene in a crazed mob like last time, so stupid.
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The specially selected crowd watched with pride as Shenzhou VI successfully blasted into space. -
Many Chinese see their nation's space programme as a symbol of its emergence as a world power. -
But such technology is a world away from the lives of China's millions of poor. For them, Wednesday was just a normal day as they struggle to make ends meet. -
kns - this is a 'specially selected' crowd? Me thinks the gene pool needs to be improved.Originally posted by poon cho tang:
The specially selected crowd watched with pride as Shenzhou VI successfully blasted into space. -
specially selected != selected according to looks.Originally posted by lwflee:kns - this is a 'specially selected' crowd? Me thinks the gene pool needs to be improved. -
2yrs? i tot last yr only?Originally posted by poon cho tang:
The Shenzhou VI mission launched on a Long March II F rocket at 0900 (0100GMT) from Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert, almost two years after China's first manned mission in Shenzhou V. -
whats live so great abt? go to the live place bettaOriginally posted by poon cho tang:
Many Chinese see their nation's space programme as a symbol of its emergence as a world power. -
ke lian sia. and its the govt who nids to help whatOriginally posted by poon cho tang:
But such technology is a world away from the lives of China's millions of poor. For them, Wednesday was just a normal day as they struggle to make ends meet. -
Oct 17, 2005
Chinese astronauts return to Earth safely
BEIJING - China's second manned space mission returned safely to Earth early on Monday after a successful five-day flight, in the latest chapter in China's ambitious drive to become a global space power.
Astronauts Fei Junlong, (left), and Nie Haisheng holding flowers after landing in northern China on Monday. Both astronauts were given a clean bill of health. -- AP
Astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng were given a clean bill of health after the reentry capsule of their Shenzhou VI spacecraft glided to Earth on a parachute, ending up in Inner Mongolia, Xinhua news agency said.
Emerging from the module, television pictures showed the two take a few seconds to adjust to the Earth's gravity before being presented with bouquets of flowers and waving to assembled recovery teams and ground control staff.
Mission control declared the mission a success, Xinhua said.
Capsule landed upright
A helicopter pilot from one of the recovery teams reported that the capsule landed upright after touching down at 4.32am (2032GMT Sunday), just 1km from the intended landing site, it added.
The Beijing News earlier reported that a welcoming ceremony was scheduled for between 6.30am and 7.30am at a military air base in the area.
The flight was China's second-ever manned space mission following the historic Shenzhou V, which in October 2003 made China the third nation after the former Soviet Union and the United States to put a man into space.
Shenzhou VI had been carrying enough food, water and oxygen for a seven-day mission, although planners had expected it to spend just five days in orbit.
Astronauts adjusted orbit
During his 21-hour maiden flight in 2003, lone astronaut Yang Liwei never left his seat in the re-entry capsule nor take off his space suit.
In contrast, astronauts Fei and Nie's flight saw them leave the re-entry capsule and enter the orbital capsule, shedding their bulky suits and donning ordinary work clothes so they could move around easily.
During their time in space, the astronauts successfully fired rockets to adjust the craft's altitude, ensuring it remained in its pre-planned orbit -- which was crucial for its return to Earth, a mission control spokesman said. -- AFP -
