#Shenzhou-5 spaceship

A file photo taken on Oct. 15, 2003, shows China's first astronaut Yang Liwei aboard Shenzhou-5 displaying flags of China and the United Nations. [Photo/Xinhua]

In October 2003, China's first astronaut Yang Liwei entered space with the Shenzhou-5, atop the Long March 2F carrier rocket. Yang returned safely after orbiting the earth 14 times in 21 hours and completing the set operation tasks.

The success of the mission made China the third country in the world to have mastered crewed spaceflight technology in a self-reliant manner.