38-year-old Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut who spent 21 hours in space told the Xinhua News Agency about his memorable journey on October 16.

 

Reporter: Today, you've just returned to earth after accomplishing your mission and came back to Beijing by a special plane. How do you feel now?

 

Yang Liwei: I felt the same when I got off the plain as before I took the task. I took a rest after returning to the astronaut dorm. Later I took about 50 minutes to take body examinations, including electrocardiogram, type-B ultrasonic diagnosis and blood exams. The doctor said everything is ok. Before being interviewed, I took a bowl of porridge. Generally speaking, I feel good. Just like my expectation as before, no discomforting feeling.

 

Reporter: When were you appointed the first Chinese astronaut from the finalist? What did you think at the moment?

 

Yang Liwei: I got the news that I was selected the first spaceman at the night of Oct 14 (the eve before the launch day). Actually, we three had all well prepared for the first manned space flight. I thought I was so lucky and, besides, I promised myself to make every effort to complete the task. I was calm then and had no distracting thoughts. I fell asleep at 8 pm and was woken up by the doctor at 2 am next morning. Later on, I ate some noodles and dumplings and read the working procedure again. I set out at 5:20 in the morning.

 

Reporter: What did you do when Shenzhou V was lifting off and during the flight? How did you feel then?

 

Yang Liwei: When the spaceship was launching, I had a strong feeling of high-gravity with the biggest moment reaching 5G. When the spaceship separated from the rocket, I suddenly got a feeling of soaring to the sky due to zero gravity, while I still lay half on the chair. By doing so, the fixed camera could shoot my whole body and people could see me on the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center. In fact, during the flight, I for many time floated in the cabin, for instance, when I was shooting outer space. Besides, during the whole flight, I felt the air was very comfortable in the cabin. The temperature is good, about 22 degree centigrade. There were very few floaters. One hour and 37m after the spaceship entered orbit, I took my first meal in outer space. Then, I had two meals every seven or eight hours later, including little moon cakes, fish bolus and many others. In a word, I was pretty calm and in good condition during the flight. I fulfilled my work entirely in line with the working procedure. Sleep and my appetite were good. Moreover, I also wrote down seven of eight papers of experience according to actual flight situations. In the next several days, I'll sort out the minutes of the notes and give them to my colleagues. The experience will be conducive to manned space flights in the future.  

 

Reporter: As the most important phase, the successful landing and the safe return of the astronaut are the final marks of a successful manned space flight. How did you feel at that time? Would you please tell me something about when you were coming back to earth?

 

Yang Liwei: I felt the ship was pushed forward when it ignited. Then, I began to come back to earth. I thought it was too short to stay in the outer space and I cherished the time very much. I could not help watching the beautiful earth one more time.

 

When the spaceship uncovered its parachute, I felt the ship shaking heavily. The skin of the spaceship was glowing red. But the inside control system was still working well and there was no temperature variation in the cabin. In addition, I got a strong feeling of high-gravity at that time with the equipment showing 3 or 4G's load. I once received the training with the biggest load of 8G, as if there were eight persons pressing on my body. At the moment the spaceship touched down to the ground, I felt my body was very heavy and pressure on my chest and back as my head was downward then. Thanks to the rigorous training of various complicated landings that I undertook hundreds of times, I experienced it before.

 

Reporter: From yesterday's unknown person to today's sensation in the world, your life has been changed during those 21 hours. What do you think now?

 

Yang Liwei: I think no matter who took the task, he would represent the first group of Chinese astronauts. In order to fulfill China's first manned space flight, most people made contributions in obscurity. The achievement belongs to all.

 

(China.org.cn translated by Li Xiao, October 20, 2003)