Global Edition

Most Searched: •Xi Jinping •Cyber security •Li Keqiang •Two sessions •Cabinet reshuffle

China to launch Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft on June 11

English.news.cn 2013-06-10 15:10:33

China's manned space program spokeswoman Wu Ping introduces the launch of the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 10, 2013. The Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft will be launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 5:38 p.m. Beijing Time (0938 GMT) June 11. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft will be launched at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday, said China's manned space program spokeswoman on Monday.

The spacecraft will take three astronauts, two male and one female, into the space, said Wu Ping, the program's spokeswoman, at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

They are Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping who is female, Wu said.

Wang, from a farmer's family in east China, is the second female astronaut in China's manned space mission and the first one born in the 1980s.

The spacecraft will travel in the space for 15 days and go through two docking tests with the orbiting space lab module Tiangong-1, one automatic and the other manual, Wu said.

Besides medical and technical tests, astronauts will give a lecture to a group of students on the ground inside the Tiangong-1, introducing the weightless condition, Wu said.

The Tiangong-1 space lab has been in a stable condition and ready for docking tests and receiving astronauts, she said.

"The launch ground and all control systems are ready. Astronauts are in good and stable condition," she said.

The upgraded Long March-2F carrier rocket has been fueled since Monday afternoon, Wu said.

This mission aims to further test technologies of docking and supporting astronauts' stay in space and try new technologies related to the construction of space station, she said.

Food for astronauts, as well as waste processing facilities, will be improved, she said.

Related:

Live: Shenzhou-10 press conference

Video: China set to launch Shenzhou-10 spacecraft

Life cozier in China's space module Tiangong-1

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The three astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft will enjoy a more comfortable environment on the Tiangong-1, a target orbiter and space module, compared with the last manned mission.

Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's manned space program, told a press briefing Monday that waste processing facilities on Tiangong-1 will be improved and the crew will be provided with a variety of food. Full story

Shenzhou-10 to conduct application-orientated flight

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft will start China's application-orientated flight for the country's space program, a spokeswoman with China's manned space program said Monday.

In the upcoming mission, the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft powered by a Long March-2F carrier rocket will transport astronauts and supplies to the orbiting space module Tiangong-1, spokeswoman Wu Ping told a press conference. Full story

Tiangong-1 ready for docking and entry: spokeswoman

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Orbiter Tiangong-1 is ready and in position for the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft mission, Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's manned space program, said Monday.

The Tiangong-1, a target orbiter and space module sent to space in September 2011, has entered the docking orbit. And its equipment is in normal condition and there is enough fuel to complete the new mission, Wu said. Full story

Shenzhou-10 mission to teach students in orbit

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Astronauts on board the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft will teach students through a live video feed system while in orbit, Wu Ping, spokeswoman for China's manned space program, said Monday.

It is the first time Chinese astronauts will give a lesson to middle and elementary school students while in orbit, Wu told a press conference ahead of the launch, which is scheduled for 5:38 p.m. Beijing Time Tuesday. Full story

China to host int'l seminar on manned spaceflight

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- China and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) will co-host an international seminar on manned spaceflight in Beijing in September, spokeswoman for China's manned space program Wu Ping revealed Monday.

The seminar aims to boost international exchanges of latest developments and following steps in manned spaceflight and promote cooperation in the area, Wu told a press conference ahead of the launch of the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft. Full story

China to launch Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft on June 11

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft will be launched at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday, said China's manned space program spokeswoman on Monday.

The spacecraft will take three astronauts, two male and one female, into the space, said Wu Ping, the program's spokeswoman, at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Full story

Shenzhou-10 spacecraft to be launched in mid-June

JIUQUAN, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft is scheduled to be launched in the middle of June, a spokesperson for China's manned space program announced on Monday.

The mission has entered the final phase of preparations, with the modified model of the Long March-2F carrier rocket and spacecraft being transported to the launch site on Monday morning, said the spokesperson. Full story

China's new manned spacecraft reaches launch center

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China's new manned spacecraft Shenzhou-10, scheduled to blast off in early June this year, was delivered to the launch center in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, on Sunday after passing pre-delivery tests, China's manned space program announced.

The rocket which will carry it is undergoing various pre-delivery preparations. Full story

Female expected aboard China's new manned spacecraft

BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese space expert said Friday that three Chinese astronauts, including one woman, are expected to board the Shenzhou-10, the country's new manned spacecraft, which should launch sometime between June and August.

Zhou Jianping, the head designer of China's manned space program, told Xinhua that he expects a female astronaut to participate in the mission, together with two male astronauts. Full story

Editor: An