”” JIUQUAN (Northwest China), January 10,2001(Xinhuanet) -- China
launched an unmanned spacecraft, "Shenzhou II",””here early Wednesday morning,
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 second 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.
”” Chinese President Jiang Zemin sent a congratulatory message to hail the
successful launch and convey his greetings to the scientists, cadres, workers,
and People's Liberation Army servicemen involved in the manufacture and launch
of the unmanned spacecraft.
”” 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 II" is composed of an orbital module, returning module and
booster rockets. Compared with its predecessor, the new spacecraft has been
improved in structure and technological qualities, whose functions are basically
identical to a manned space aircraft.
”” 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 and physics 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.
”” This was the 65th launch of the "Long March" carrier rocket series, and its
23rd successful launch in a row since October 1996.
”” The launch site was built solely by China, which was designed to launch
both satellites and space aircraft. It is capable of a general assembly in a
vertical way, vertical tests of the combined body of the space aircraft and
booster rockets and vertical transportation of the combined body. The technology
of long-distance monitoring and control of the launching is also
used.
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.
”” Relevant departments of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of
Information Industry took part in the design,manufacture and test of the
project.
”” During the flight, under the command of the Beijing Aerospace Directing and
Controlling Center, the Xi'an Satellite Monitoring Center of China and the
surveying ships named "Yuanwang" stationed at high seas will trace, survey and
control its operations.
”” An official responsible for the launch said that the success of the
"Shenzhou II" is "of great importance for China to comprehensively grasp the
manned space technologies and make
technological breakthroughs."
”” "More unmanned test flights will be launched to pave the way for sending
Chinese astronauts into space in the end," he said. Enditem
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