Chinese search and rescue workers have prepared full gear, including six helicopters, for the landing of China's second manned spacecraft.

"All the six helicopters, 14 special vehicles and more than 200 rescuers are in the primary landing site in Siziwang Banner (county)," Sui Qisheng, chief commander in charge of landing, said Sunday.

In an interview with Xinhua, Sui listed the equipment they will use during search-rescue operation in the primary landing site on the grasslands in Siziwang:

-- Helicopters for searching the re-entry module and carrying rescuers and equipment to the landing site;

-- Helicopters for search and first-aid service, carrying medical workers and equipment, and taikonauts after landing;

-- Camera helicopters, for searching the re-entry module, videotaping landing scenes and transmitting the pictures to the command and control centers;

-- The command vehicle, for receiving instructions from the command and control centers and organizing search and rescue work on the scene;

-- Medical service vehicles, for on-the-spot medical observation and checkup of taikonauts;

-- Transport vehicles, for carrying ground service workers, tools and parts dropped off from the capsule;

-- Taikonauts carriage van, for emergency treatment and transportation of taikonauts;

-- Hoisting vehicle, for raising the re-entry module and relaying it to other vehicles; and

-- Small search vehicles, for fast search of the re-entry module.

"We have drawn out detailed plans to ensure that rescue workers and equipment will arrive at where the capsule lands," Sui said, adding that several drillings have been carried out for this purpose

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2005)