Shenzhou 5 launch expected on October 15
Posted: Wed, Oct 8, 2003, 10:16 AM ET (1416 GMT)
October 15 has emerged as the most likely date that China will launch its first manned spacecraft, according to Chinese media reports Wednesday. According to several reports, Phoenix TV, a Hong- Kong-based broadcaster with close ties to the Chinese government, reported that the launch would take place on the 15th, shortly after the conclusion of an annual meeting of Chinese Communist Party leaders. According to those reports the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft will make just one orbit of the Earth before landing, and will carry just one yuhangyuan, or astronaut, and no scientific experiments save for one kilogram of seeds. The launch will likely be televised live in China, although with little advance warning. Speculation about the impending launch has grown intense in recent days as evidence grew that the manned launch was imminent.
October 15 has emerged as the most likely date that China will launch its first manned spacecraft, according to Chinese media reports Wednesday. According to several reports, Phoenix TV, a Hong- Kong-based broadcaster with close ties to the Chinese government, reported that the launch would take place on the 15th, shortly after the conclusion of an annual meeting of Chinese Communist Party leaders. According to those reports the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft will make just one orbit of the Earth before landing, and will carry just one yuhangyuan, or astronaut, and no scientific experiments save for one kilogram of seeds. The launch will likely be televised live in China, although with little advance warning. Speculation about the impending launch has grown intense in recent days as evidence grew that the manned launch was imminent.| <<previous article | next article>> |
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