Article

2003-10-15 East Asia

China has launched its first manned space flight and has become only the third country to put a man into orbit. Lift-off from the Gobi desert was at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the start of a mission that it is hoped will rocket China into the exclusive space club pioneered by the former Soviet Union and United States four decades ago. A Long March 2F rocket called the Shenzhou V — "divine ship" in Chinese — carried a single "taikonaut" named Yang Liwei, 38, following a trail blazed by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and American Alan Shepard in 1961. "The Shenzhou mission, if successful, will make China the third nation to send a man into outer space, following the former Soviet Union and the United States," the official Xinhua news agency said in a brief dispatch. State television said later that the spacecraft had entered Earth orbit.
Sounds like they?re using really basic hardware: the one illustration of Shenzhou I've seen looked close to the old Russian Soyuz.

Still, you?ve gotta respect, and envy, anyone who takes the ride. Get home safe, Liwei.

Posted by Mike 2003-10-15 6:42:10 AM|| || Front Page|| [11135 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The Chineese craft has the same basic 3 module construction as the Russian Soyuz... but I understand that it is scaled up... some 8 (?) feet wider.

Did any see the launch? The smoke looked like hydrazine.

Posted by Shipman 2003-10-15 7:36:00 AM|| 2003-10-15 7:36:00 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 I'm just glad the bleeding hearts can start replacing the USA with China in the following sentiments:
"I'm so disgusted at how China can spend all this money on a space program when there are so many people right here on Earth that need help! What is the point?"

Posted by Dar 2003-10-15 9:06:47 AM|| 2003-10-15 9:06:47 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 I'm just glad the bleeding hearts can start replacing the USA with China in the following sentiments: "I'm so disgusted at how China can spend all this money on a space program when there are so many people right here on Earth that need help! What is the point?"

Actually, China still ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world - average monthly income in the booming coastal cities is around $60 a month. (The salaries in the depressed interior cities are even lower). China can't really afford this jaunt - the reasons for this exercise are (1) the propaganda value for China's rulers and (2) the potential military applications. With respect to point #2, note that this mission is not only spearheaded by the Chinese military; Chinese leaders have boasted of the potential military applications. And I recognize their point about its relevance to Chinese military power - China is, after all, reaching for the ultimate high ground.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-10-15 9:36:16 AM|| 2003-10-15 9:36:16 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 They got him up there. I hope they have the capability to bring him back safely. The Chinese are known for taking short-cuts.

We really need to get our space program back into high gear, before we find ourselves in deep kimchee, with Chinese and Russians in space, and ready to deny it to anyone else. I don't trust others to be as nonbeligerant as we are. I EXPECT them to try to translate their space achievements into demands for compromise on our part - especially, from the Chinese, over Taiwan.

Posted by Old Patriot 2003-10-15 10:24:25 AM|| [http://users.codenet.net/mweather/default.htm] 2003-10-15 10:24:25 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Old Patriot,

The manned space program is a huge waste of money. If we can't do it profitably through private industry after all the decades of gov't spending then it's time to cut the gov't spending. Private industry now knows it's possible and has a base to work from... if they can make it cheap enough for tourism then good if not then that's that.

Posted by Damn_Proud_American 2003-10-15 10:51:18 AM|| 2003-10-15 10:51:18 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 I don't begrudge them -- and I agree with Dar. Our own space program was something beautiful and heroic, in and of its own self. It's been killed by the carpers and ankle biters without the imagination to see that the universe can be ours. Keep deferring to the humorless pinheads and we'll still be earthbound, while China and eventually Malawi and Samoa are walking on the moon and going to Mars. And we'll still have our people who can't provide for themselves.

Posted by Fred 2003-10-15 10:52:41 AM|| 2003-10-15 10:52:41 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 When you have clear policy and stated goals set, and close-knit and top-notch teams working on space projects, you get excellence. To get a taste of teamwork and excellence, read The Grumman Story, by Richard Thruelson. The part about building of the LEM (lunar module)illustrates the point about teamwork. This country cannot expect mediocrity if it expects to survive. The first thing we need is a change in expectations. We have the resources, the smarts, the people. We need the will to excel.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-10-15 11:08:51 AM|| 2003-10-15 11:08:51 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 Great! When we set up the colony on the Moon, they can deliver...

Posted by tu3031 2003-10-15 11:17:26 AM|| 2003-10-15 11:17:26 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 tu301 - *sputter* *snort* Coffee alert!!

Posted by eLarson 2003-10-15 11:44:53 AM|| 2003-10-15 11:44:53 AM|| Front Page Top

#10 TU, wasn't the moon, at one time, part of the Crater Chinese Empire? - couldn't help it. I think I was channeling Carrot Top.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-10-15 2:33:19 PM|| 2003-10-15 2:33:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 Damn - Chinese in space. Next thing you know they'll have colour TV.

Posted by Yosemite Sam 2003-10-15 7:44:01 PM|| 2003-10-15 7:44:01 PM|| Front Page Top