China to Launch 3rd Unmanned Spacecraft Soon and Manned One Expected Next Year

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 08, 2002

China to Launch 3rd Unmanned Spacecraft Soon and Manned One Expected Next Year

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China plans to launch its third unmanned spacecraft "Shenzhou III" soon while the first manned one is to be launched next year at the earliest, according to Hu Shixiang, vice director of China's manned spacecraft project at the ongoing NPC session.

When asked by reporters why the launching of "Shenzhou III" was put off from last year to this year, Hu said this was mainly owing to the problems of product quality. What we are seeking for is success at the first try and so success tops above all else. We don't care about one day earlier or later in the launching so long as all problems are solved thoroughly beforehand, says Hu.

Hu, who is also deputy-director of the General Armament Department (GAD) of People's Liberation Army (PLA), affirmed that the carrier rocket and the spacecraft had been installed in the launching ground and, with product in good quality the launching could take place soon. Compared with the previous two launchings, many technological improvements have been made with the reliability remarkably raised. To ensure the safety of spaceman in the future, Chinese scientists have made many efforts, including adopting new technologies on ground control, measurement and emergency escape.

As for the launching time of China's first manned spaceship, Hu says the Chinese government, much concerned for it, has given great financial support. Now the preparatory work is going on in good order with the earliest possible date set on next year, but still depends on experimental results.

China's First Manned Spacecraft Scheduled

China is expected to launch its first manned spaceship in the early 21st century.

That's according to Luan Enjie, deputy director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.

Luan said Monday that the country has made technological breakthroughs since the successful launch of the Shenzhou unmanned spaceship in 1999. (In Detail)

China to Develop Manned Spacecraft Next Five Years

A Chinese expert said in Beijing February 6,2001 that China plans to develop several "Shenzhou" manned spacecraft in the next five years to finally realize the historic breakthrough in manned aerospace technology early this century by sending Chinese astronauts into space.

Xu Fuxiang, president of Chinese Academy of Space Technology said that the academy would take up the task of research and development of several "Shenzhou" spacecraft. (In Detail)

By PD Online staff member Li Heng

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