Chinese president to watch manned spacecraft launch - Xinhua

JIUQUAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Tuesday to observe the launch of the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft.

Xi came into the astronauts' apartment building on Tuesday afternoon to see off Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping, who are scheduled to start their journey to space at 5:38 p.m..

"On behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, the Central Military Commission, as well as people of all ethnic backgrounds across the country, I'm here to see you off," said Xi.

Shenzhou-10 will be China's fifth manned space mission. The president described the mission as both glorious and sacred. "You made Chinese people feel proud of ourselves," he said.

"You have trained and prepared yourselves carefully and thoroughly, so I am confident in your completing the mission successfully," he added.

"I wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return," Xi told the astronauts.

China to launch Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft

A press conference to brief on the launch of the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft is held by China's space program headquarters 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/Wang Jianmin)

JIUQUAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- China will launch its fifth manned spacecraft Tuesday with three astronauts on board, a decade after its first astronaut entered space.

The Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft will be launched at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday, said Wu Ping, China's manned space program spokeswoman, at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, on Monday. Full story

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