Science and Space

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China’s Space Program

China’s second manned mission Shenzhou 6 flew 2 million miles in 115 hours and 32 minutes in space. The Shenzhou 6 is a modified version of Russia’s Soyuz capsule. China also bought Russian technology for spacesuits, life-support systems and other equipment. But space officials say all the items launched into orbit were Chinese-made.

China hopes to conduct a spacewalk in 2007, develope the ability to rendezvous and dock with other spacecraft. It also might recruit women into its next group of astronaut candidates.

The government already has announced plans to land an unmanned probe on the moon by 2010 and eventually send up an orbiting laboratory.

China said last year it would launch a moon-orbiting satellite in 2006. The 2-ton Chang’e satellite would orbit at least a year and record three-dimensional images of the lunar surface.

The lunar program — named Chang’e after a legendary Chinese goddess who flew to the moon — includes plans to land a vehicle by 2020 that would collect soil samples and conduct other tests, possibly in preparation for a manned moon base.

posted by: kyawoo at 20:59 | link | comments |
unmanned missions, manned missions

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