"Shenzhou
III" Unmanned Spacecraft Launched
China launched another unmanned spacecraft,
"Shenzhou III", 10:15PM Monday night (Beijing
Time) from Jiuquan Satellite Launching Center
of Gansu Province, and ten minutes after blast-off,
the spaceship entered its preset orbit.
The successful launch at Jiuquan Satellite Launch
Center in northwestern Gansu Province was China's
third in a series of flights expected to lead
to a first manned space flight. It marked a step
forward in China's manned space program.
China conducted its first test flight of "Shenzhou"
in 1999 at the Jiuquan launch site. And according
to a plan, it will launch more unmanned spacecraft
until a manned spaceship takes shape.
"Shenzhou III" is composed of an orbital module,
returning module, booster rockets and access section.
Compared with its predecessor, the new spacecraft
has been improved in structure and technological
qualities to ensure better security and reliability.
Space scientists say the Shenzhou III is " technically
suitable for astronauts." Dummy astronauts simulating
human physiology and human physical monitoring
sensors have been installed aboard the spacecraft
to help improve its life-support system.
Also for the first time, space scientists tested
the escape system, which could save the lives
of astronauts.
Officers in charge of the China Manned Space
Program said that Shenzhou's flight was being
tracked and controlled from the Beijing Aerospace
Direction and Control Center, Xi'an Satellite
Monitoring Center and a fleet of four monitoring
vessels, which have been deployed at the Atlantic,
Pacific and Indian oceans.
The spaceship, made solely by Chinese scientists
and engineers, is expected to return in a few
days. During the flight, experiments on space
life sciences, space materials, space astronomy,
physics and micro-gravity will be conducted.
The "Long March II F" carrier rocket that carries
the spacecraft was a new powerful product made
in China especially for the manned space program.
Its overall structure, power system, control system
and remote monitoring system has been improved
to ensure reliability, and new trouble-shooting
system and life-saving system have been added
for better safety of the spacemen.
The spacecraft was developed and manufactured
mainly by the Chinese Research Institute of Space
Technology under the China Aerospace Science and
Technology Corporation, and Shanghai Research
Institute of Astronomical Technology. The carrier
rocket was made by the China Research Institute
of Carrier Rocket Technology under the Aerospace
Corporation.
This was the 66th launch of the "Long March"
carrier rocket series, and its 24rd successful
launch in a row since October 1996.
By People's Daily Online
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