China's second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou
VI, successfully entered its planned orbit this morning from
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu
Province.
Over the next few days, the two astronauts on
board, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, will transfer from the return
module into the orbital module of the 9.2-meter-long spacecraft,
where they will conduct laboratory tests.
This will be the first time that Chinese astronauts
have undertaken such maneuvers.
Before they headed for the launch site, Premier Wen Jiabao
had a brief meeting with the astronauts and wished them success in
their mission.
China's first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou V,
carried astronaut Yang Liwei into orbit two years ago.
Fei and Nie were both selected from the ranks of
air force pilots, as Yang had been before them.
Fei, 40, is from Kunshan, in east China's Jiangsu
Province. He was one of five candidates who received intensive
training for the first manned space flight.
Nie, 41, is from Zaoyang, in central China's
Hubei
Province. He was selected for the shortlist of three for
Shenzhou V. The other two were Yang and Zhai Zhigang.
(CRIENGLISH.com October 12, 2005)
