Post by Hussar on Oct 7, 2003 3:59:04 GMT -5
From Associated press.
China plans first manned space flight
Associated Press
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Beijing — The launch could happen as early as this weekend from a remote base in the Gobi Desert. China's first manned space flight would carry one "taikonaut" — or as many as three. It could last from hours to several days.
Other than that, the Chinese government isn't really saying.
After 11 years of planning to join the space-faring elite, China is on the brink of making history and reaping a propaganda windfall. But as the hour approaches, the Communist government is staying silent about a date and other details, wary of risking the damage of public setbacks.
"They don't want to commit themselves," said Phillip Clark, a British expert on the Chinese program.
A successful manned launch would stand as a testament to China's economic and technical progress, winning Beijing respect abroad and, more importantly, approval at home. Chinese leaders long ago traded in leftist ideology for economic reform and, battered by corruption scandals, have used such flag-waving appeals to nationalism to bind the country together.
The launch would come 42 years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth. But China would still be only the third country capable of manned space flight, vaulting it ahead of Japan and European countries, which have only unmanned programs.
And China would be accomplishing something that even the United States, with its space shuttle fleet grounded following the Columbia disaster, can't do right now.
Still, some Chinese complain privately that the program is a waste of money in a society in which the average person makes about $940 Cdn a year.
China hasn't released the identities of its first astronauts, 12 military pilots who, according to state media, were picked from among 2,000 applicants. Newspapers say all are about 30 years old and about five-foot-seven.
They have been dubbed "taikonauts" in English from the Chinese word for space. In Chinese, they are "yuhangyuan," or travellers of the universe.
At least one of them will go up before the end of October, state media say.
And the Beijing-backed Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao said it would happen sometime after this Friday. That could coincide with a meeting of the Communist party's ruling inner circle that convenes Saturday, allowing President Hu Jintao and other leaders to be shown on state television talking with the crew in orbit.
The Shenzhou, or "Divine Vessel," capsule is based on Russia's Soyuz vessel, with extensive modifications. China bought Russian space suits and a life-support system to study, although officials stress that everything sent up will be made in China.
Like other details, the cost of the military-linked program is secret, but it is believed to total at least $1.34-billion, equal to the annual government budget of a smaller Chinese province.
The eight-tonne Shenzhou is even bigger than Soyuz, which can seat three astronauts. And Chinese reports say specialists have created a menu of 20 space meals — enough for a week.
But Mr. Clark, the British specialist, said China probably will keep the first flight simple, with one pilot sent up for less than a day.
It isn't even clear yet whether the government will alert its own public before the launch. State media said two years ago that the astronauts might be identified in advance — possibly to dispel rumours that a fatal accident would be covered up.
"I wouldn't be surprised if 10 minutes before the launch, state television cuts without warning to a live shot of the rocket on the pad," Mr. Clark said.
China has had a rocket program since the 1950s, and missiles are one of its strongest military technologies. It does a bustling business sending up satellites for foreign clients aboard its giant Long March rockets. A modified version is to carry the Shenzhou capsule.
Four unmanned Shenzhou capsules have been launched, orbiting the Earth for up to a week and landing by parachute in the northern grasslands of China's Inner Mongolia region.
So, China enters the space race. What are your thoughts about China?
China plans first manned space flight
Associated Press
E-mail this Article
Print this Article
Advertisement
Beijing — The launch could happen as early as this weekend from a remote base in the Gobi Desert. China's first manned space flight would carry one "taikonaut" — or as many as three. It could last from hours to several days.
Other than that, the Chinese government isn't really saying.
After 11 years of planning to join the space-faring elite, China is on the brink of making history and reaping a propaganda windfall. But as the hour approaches, the Communist government is staying silent about a date and other details, wary of risking the damage of public setbacks.
"They don't want to commit themselves," said Phillip Clark, a British expert on the Chinese program.
A successful manned launch would stand as a testament to China's economic and technical progress, winning Beijing respect abroad and, more importantly, approval at home. Chinese leaders long ago traded in leftist ideology for economic reform and, battered by corruption scandals, have used such flag-waving appeals to nationalism to bind the country together.
The launch would come 42 years after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth. But China would still be only the third country capable of manned space flight, vaulting it ahead of Japan and European countries, which have only unmanned programs.
And China would be accomplishing something that even the United States, with its space shuttle fleet grounded following the Columbia disaster, can't do right now.
Still, some Chinese complain privately that the program is a waste of money in a society in which the average person makes about $940 Cdn a year.
China hasn't released the identities of its first astronauts, 12 military pilots who, according to state media, were picked from among 2,000 applicants. Newspapers say all are about 30 years old and about five-foot-seven.
They have been dubbed "taikonauts" in English from the Chinese word for space. In Chinese, they are "yuhangyuan," or travellers of the universe.
At least one of them will go up before the end of October, state media say.
And the Beijing-backed Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao said it would happen sometime after this Friday. That could coincide with a meeting of the Communist party's ruling inner circle that convenes Saturday, allowing President Hu Jintao and other leaders to be shown on state television talking with the crew in orbit.
The Shenzhou, or "Divine Vessel," capsule is based on Russia's Soyuz vessel, with extensive modifications. China bought Russian space suits and a life-support system to study, although officials stress that everything sent up will be made in China.
Like other details, the cost of the military-linked program is secret, but it is believed to total at least $1.34-billion, equal to the annual government budget of a smaller Chinese province.
The eight-tonne Shenzhou is even bigger than Soyuz, which can seat three astronauts. And Chinese reports say specialists have created a menu of 20 space meals — enough for a week.
But Mr. Clark, the British specialist, said China probably will keep the first flight simple, with one pilot sent up for less than a day.
It isn't even clear yet whether the government will alert its own public before the launch. State media said two years ago that the astronauts might be identified in advance — possibly to dispel rumours that a fatal accident would be covered up.
"I wouldn't be surprised if 10 minutes before the launch, state television cuts without warning to a live shot of the rocket on the pad," Mr. Clark said.
China has had a rocket program since the 1950s, and missiles are one of its strongest military technologies. It does a bustling business sending up satellites for foreign clients aboard its giant Long March rockets. A modified version is to carry the Shenzhou capsule.
Four unmanned Shenzhou capsules have been launched, orbiting the Earth for up to a week and landing by parachute in the northern grasslands of China's Inner Mongolia region.
So, China enters the space race. What are your thoughts about China?
