The Shenzhou III spacecraft's returning module was carried back to Beijing April 2. After some initial examinations, experts said that the returning module is in good condition, a further technology analysis will be conducted soon.

The Shenzhou III returned to the landing area in the middle of Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia) at 16:51 hours April 1. From the site, we see that the booster rocket worked normally before the spacecraft landed. The structure is also good after landing, apparatus and equipment installation does not change.

The dummy astronauts are safe and sound after traveling in the space for millions of kilometers. This indicates that the planned manned experiment achieved a good result. During the trial, physical signals and metabolic indices were normal, proving that the environment control and life guarantee system can meet the medical requirements for manned flight.

Why does the Shenzhou III not carry animals for experiment?

The former Soviet Union and the US always conducted experiments with animals in early manned trials. Why does China not conduct such experiments?

Experts said that human beings could not survive in a space environment without gravity in the early stages of manned flights. There is a factor of uncertainty whether the long-term loss-of-gravity environment will affect human lives. Under such conditions, animals are used for experimenting.

But now the problem has a clear answer. For example, a former Soviet Union astronaut traveled for more than 400 days in the space. He was very healthy after returning to earth. So China's space test does not need to test this.

In addition, the environment in manned spacecraft is created by the spacecraft's environment control and life support system. To prove whether the system can meet human needs is conducted without animals. An animal's size is small, the metabolic capacity is low. What's more, when an animal is in a new environment, it may get sick, even death due to illness. So it is hard to prove whether it is a problem with spacecraft's or the animal. Therefore, the Shenzhou spacecraft did not carry out animal experiment, but a dummy astronaut experiment. This choice is more scientific and rational.

( April 5, 2002)