BEIJING, Mar. 27 (Xinhuanet) --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, powersystem, 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. Enditem