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Manual space docking set for weekend
By Yang Jian |
June 22, 2012, Friday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
CHINA'S Shenzhou-9 spacecraft is to perform its first manual docking with the Tiangong-1 space lab module over the weekend, which would be a major step toward China building a permanent space station around 2020.
Shenzhou-9 is currently connected to Tiangong-1 following an automatic docking on Monday.
China Central Television yesterday showed footage of Liu Wang, 43, one of the three Chinese astronauts aboard Tiangong, running through drills for the manual docking, while Liu Yang, 33, the country's first female astronaut was recording the process.
The astronauts will return to the spacecraft again and separate the module for the manual docking.
"A manual docking, if successful, will demonstrate the country's grasp of essential space rendezvous and docking techniques," said Zhou Jianping, chief engineer of China's manned space program.
The three astronauts entered the cabin of the Tiangong-1 on Monday afternoon, becoming the first group of Chinese to enter an orbiter in space.
Shenzhou-9 is currently connected to Tiangong-1 following an automatic docking on Monday.
China Central Television yesterday showed footage of Liu Wang, 43, one of the three Chinese astronauts aboard Tiangong, running through drills for the manual docking, while Liu Yang, 33, the country's first female astronaut was recording the process.
The astronauts will return to the spacecraft again and separate the module for the manual docking.
"A manual docking, if successful, will demonstrate the country's grasp of essential space rendezvous and docking techniques," said Zhou Jianping, chief engineer of China's manned space program.
The three astronauts entered the cabin of the Tiangong-1 on Monday afternoon, becoming the first group of Chinese to enter an orbiter in space.
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