China announces plans for Shenzhou 6
Posted: Sun, Feb 22, 2004, 1:58 PM ET (1858 GMT)
Chinese officials said Saturday that nation's next manned spaceflight, Shenzhou 6, would place two people into orbit for several days some time next year. Wang Yongzhi, chief designer of the Shenzhou program, told the Chinese TV network CCTV that Shenzhou 6 was scheduled for launch next year, although he did not specify when in the year the launch would take place. Unlike Shenzhou 5, which carried a single astronaut into orbit for one day, this flight would carry two people who would remain in orbit for between five and seven days. He added that China also planned to launch a "space laboratory" into orbit in 2007 that would be visited by future Shenzhou missions; the lab would be the first step towards a space station. Wang's comments confirm earlier reports and rumors that China would wait until 2005 to carry out its second manned spaceflight. Wang was interviewed after receiving a state science and technology award worth five million yuan (US$605,000) from Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese officials said Saturday that nation's next manned spaceflight, Shenzhou 6, would place two people into orbit for several days some time next year. Wang Yongzhi, chief designer of the Shenzhou program, told the Chinese TV network CCTV that Shenzhou 6 was scheduled for launch next year, although he did not specify when in the year the launch would take place. Unlike Shenzhou 5, which carried a single astronaut into orbit for one day, this flight would carry two people who would remain in orbit for between five and seven days. He added that China also planned to launch a "space laboratory" into orbit in 2007 that would be visited by future Shenzhou missions; the lab would be the first step towards a space station. Wang's comments confirm earlier reports and rumors that China would wait until 2005 to carry out its second manned spaceflight. Wang was interviewed after receiving a state science and technology award worth five million yuan (US$605,000) from Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Friday.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, February 21
British-backed Smile headed to Europe’s Spaceport
ESA — 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) ESA to launch Celeste LEO-PNT on March 24
GPS World — 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) Commercial Space Stations Could Host Simulated Human Mars Trip
Aviation Week — 9:54 am ET (1454 GMT) NASA's Artemis II mission set to send humans beyond the Moon in March. Here's what you need to know
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 9:52 am ET (1452 GMT) NASA boss blasts Boeing and agency over bungled test flight that left astronauts stranded on space station
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 9:52 am ET (1452 GMT) |
