Astronauts return after longest stay in space
Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily |
June 27, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A CHINESE space capsule with three astronauts on board landed safely yesterday after a 15-day trip to a prototype space station, marking the latest success for China's manned space program as it enters its second decade.
The Shenzhou-10's descent module landed by parachute in Inner Mongolia early yesterday with the three crew members smiling and waving after wriggling through the blackened capsule's narrow hatch.
"Space is our dream, the fatherland is our home. Thanks to all compatriots who supported us and best wishes for the wealth and success of our fatherland and the ever greater happiness of our people," mission commander and two-time space traveler Nie Haisheng said.
Wang Yaping, China's second female astronaut to complete a mission, said the trip had been worthwhile for the opportunity to conduct China's first science class in space, beamed live to 60 million schoolchildren across the country.
"I hope all our young friends may wish beautiful dreams and may their dreams come true," said Wang, who, like her two colleagues, was still clad in her spacesuit and seated under bright sunshine in white folding chairs in front of the round-edged module.
Back at the Beijing command center, manned space program director Zhang Youxia declared the mission - China's longest to date - a "complete success" and said all three astronauts were in perfect health. He was followed by Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, who conveyed congratulations from the Party leadership and declared that the manned program was entering a new and more challenging stage.
China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003.
A space official said yesterday that China will launch the Tiangong-2 space lab around 2015. Wang Zhaoyao, director of the office of China's manned space program, said the country plans to put in orbit an experimental core module of a space station around 2018 and complete the construction of a manned space station by 2020.
Prior to that, China will launch a series of cargo and manned spacecraft to deliver material supplies and transport astronauts to the future space lab and space station, Wang said.
China will also use new generation rockets with larger carrying capacities, said Yuan Jie, deputy general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
The Long March 5 carrier rocket will be used for the launching of the manned space station, and Long March 7 for carrying the cargo spacecraft for the station.
The new generation rockets will use new engines with non-toxic and non-polluting liquefied propellents, which are safer and more environment friendly, according to Yuan.
There was also some confusion about Nie Haisheng's weight. A physical examination on June 11 showed Nie's net weight as 72 kilogram. But another data had put it at 67kg.
Deng Yibing, director of China Astronaut Research and Training Center, clarified that Nie's weight in 2005 was 67 when he took part in the Shenzhou-6 manned space mission. After eight years, he had put on some weight.
The Shenzhou-10's descent module landed by parachute in Inner Mongolia early yesterday with the three crew members smiling and waving after wriggling through the blackened capsule's narrow hatch.
"Space is our dream, the fatherland is our home. Thanks to all compatriots who supported us and best wishes for the wealth and success of our fatherland and the ever greater happiness of our people," mission commander and two-time space traveler Nie Haisheng said.
Wang Yaping, China's second female astronaut to complete a mission, said the trip had been worthwhile for the opportunity to conduct China's first science class in space, beamed live to 60 million schoolchildren across the country.
"I hope all our young friends may wish beautiful dreams and may their dreams come true," said Wang, who, like her two colleagues, was still clad in her spacesuit and seated under bright sunshine in white folding chairs in front of the round-edged module.
Back at the Beijing command center, manned space program director Zhang Youxia declared the mission - China's longest to date - a "complete success" and said all three astronauts were in perfect health. He was followed by Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, who conveyed congratulations from the Party leadership and declared that the manned program was entering a new and more challenging stage.
China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003.
A space official said yesterday that China will launch the Tiangong-2 space lab around 2015. Wang Zhaoyao, director of the office of China's manned space program, said the country plans to put in orbit an experimental core module of a space station around 2018 and complete the construction of a manned space station by 2020.
Prior to that, China will launch a series of cargo and manned spacecraft to deliver material supplies and transport astronauts to the future space lab and space station, Wang said.
China will also use new generation rockets with larger carrying capacities, said Yuan Jie, deputy general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
The Long March 5 carrier rocket will be used for the launching of the manned space station, and Long March 7 for carrying the cargo spacecraft for the station.
The new generation rockets will use new engines with non-toxic and non-polluting liquefied propellents, which are safer and more environment friendly, according to Yuan.
There was also some confusion about Nie Haisheng's weight. A physical examination on June 11 showed Nie's net weight as 72 kilogram. But another data had put it at 67kg.
Deng Yibing, director of China Astronaut Research and Training Center, clarified that Nie's weight in 2005 was 67 when he took part in the Shenzhou-6 manned space mission. After eight years, he had put on some weight.
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